It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Lyrics
Rev. Edmund Hamilton Searles
1 It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.
2 Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.
3 And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!
4 For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.
Who Wrote It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Hymn
Another American clergyman has furnished us with a classic Christmas hymn.
We refer to the hymn by the Rev. Edmund Hamilton Searles, which, although its author was a Unitarian clergyman, yet is a hymn in which there is a very joyful note for the child of faith.
Written in 1860, Mr. Searle’s words stir the imagination and bring to the ear and eye of the singer the most wonderful scenes and harmonies of heaven.
Add to the above his earlier Christmas hymn, written in 1834, namely, “Calm on the listening ear of night,” and we have two hymns which give to Mr. Searles a high and deserved place among the great American hymn writers.
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear YouTube video
For more lyrics and stories of famous hymns visit popular and old hymns history and lyrics.
Some more Amazing Christmas carols’ stories and lyrics:
Silent Night – Stille Nacht Lyrics and Story (Composer Joseph Mohr in 1818)
In The Bleak Midwinter Christmas Carol and Story
Mary Did You Know (Christmas Carol with lyrics)
Joy To the World Lyrics and Story – E T Everett Instrumental Piano Christmas Carol
Hark The Herald Angels Sing Lyrics and Story (Composer Charles Wesley in 1735)
Good News from Heaven the Angels Bring Hymn – Martin Luther
Away In A Manger, No Crib For A Bed – A Classic Christmas Lullaby & Carol
Shout The Glad Tidings, Exultingly Sing Story and Lyrics – Muhlenberg’s Christmas hymn
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Hymn and Lyrics Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed Hymn and Lyrics – James Montgomery, 1771-1854
O Little Town of Bethlehem Lyrics and Story (Composer: Phillips Brooks)
