Words: Caleb Ashworth (1722-75)
Music: Trad. A Collection of Tunes (London 1762) Arr. Watts
Let an anthem of praise and a carol of joy
Each tongue and each heart in sweet concert employ
This day sprung at Bethlehem a plant of renown
And Christ to redeem us abandoned a crown.
Conceived of a virgin how humble his birth
Not graced with the pomp nor the grandeur of earth
But laid in a manger with beasts at an inn
No room for the saviour of Israel within.
The shepherds with pleasure saluted the morn
When Jesus the Shepherd of Judah was born
The sages with wonder acknowledged his star
And brought him their homage and gifts from afar.
Great Saviour the tribute of honour we pay
And celebrate gladly thy festival day
We triumph in Britain thy glory to see
Not sages nor shepherds more happy than we.
Music: Trad. A Collection of Tunes (London 1762) Arr. Watts
Let an anthem of praise and a carol of joy
Each tongue and each heart in sweet concert employ
This day sprung at Bethlehem a plant of renown
And Christ to redeem us abandoned a crown.
Conceived of a virgin how humble his birth
Not graced with the pomp nor the grandeur of earth
But laid in a manger with beasts at an inn
No room for the saviour of Israel within.
The shepherds with pleasure saluted the morn
When Jesus the Shepherd of Judah was born
The sages with wonder acknowledged his star
And brought him their homage and gifts from afar.
Great Saviour the tribute of honour we pay
And celebrate gladly thy festival day
We triumph in Britain thy glory to see
Not sages nor shepherds more happy than we.