It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Frank Sinatra Ken Lane Singers Lyrics
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From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, from Heaven's all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing
And ever o'er its babel sounds the blessed angels sing
Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours, come swiftly on the wing
Oh, rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing
And hear the angels sing
"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" is a Christmas carol written by Edmund Hamilton Sears in 1849. The song reflects the hope of the angels announcing the coming of the Christ child on earth, bringing peace and goodwill to all men. The song is a beautiful hymn-like tune that describes the shepherds and angelic choir that witnessed the birth of Jesus Christ. It starts by describing the angels' song announcing the birth of Jesus Christ and how the world in solemn stillness waited to hear the angels sing. The song goes on to describe how the angels bend on hovering wings and sing over the sad and lowly plains. They sing a message of hope for those who are burdened by life's hardships, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and in a condition of great despair, urging them to look for the glad and golden hours that would come on the wing of time to rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.
The song has been performed and recorded by several famous musicians, including Frank Sinatra and Josh Groban. The song has also been featured in many films and TV shows, including The Christmas Carol (2009), which features Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge. It is also the title of an episode of The Twilight Zone.
Line by Line Meaning
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old
In the peaceful quiet of midnight, a beautiful and magnificent melody from years past emerged
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold
Heavenly beings descended close to the ground to play their angelic instruments made of gold
Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, from Heaven's all gracious King
May the world find harmony and kindness through blessings from an all-loving and merciful God
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing
The entire world lay in a state of peaceful quietude as they listened to the angels' heavenly singing
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing
The angels flew above the gloomy and poor lands with their wings outstretched
And ever o'er its babel sounds the blessed angels sing
Despite the loud and chaotic noise from below, the angels continued to sing their blessed melodies
And He beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low
For those who suffer from life's burdens and whose spirits are broken from weariness
Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow
Those who struggle through life with great effort and in pain, while climbing up a steep path
Look now for glad and golden hours, come swiftly on the wing
Be optimistic and search for joyful and prosperous moments, which will come quickly and gracefully
Oh, rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing
Take a break at your tired path and listen to the angels singing
And hear the angels sing
And enjoy the beauty and glory of the angels' music
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD WILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind