It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
JOHNNY MATHIS with PERCY FAITH and his ORCHESTRA 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 heav'n's all gracious king
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurl
And still their heavenly music floats, O'er all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing
O 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.
For lo the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old
When with the ever circling years shall come the time foretold
When the new heaven and earth shall own the prince of peace their King
And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is a Christmas carol that was first published in 1849. The composer, Richard S. Willis, wrote the melody, which was then matched with a poem by Edmund Hamilton Sears. The song depicts the story of the angels who sang and played their golden harps in recognition of the birth of Christ. The lyrics describe how the angels' singing touched the stillness of the Earth and brought a message of peace and goodwill to everyone. The song hails the eternal bliss of heaven, where every single soul can hear the angels sing.
The song's first verse highlights the peaceful setting of the midnight skies with the angels resting upon the Earth as they touch their harps of gold. The next verse acknowledges the struggle of humanity and how their pain might be eased by hearing the golden harps played. The final verse talks about the future when a "new heaven and earth" will come to pass, and everything will finally be at peace. The song has a hopeful melody, perfect for the religious obscurity that Christ's birth brings to the people.
Line by Line Meaning
came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old
The beautiful song from the past, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, echoes in the empty midnight.
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold
The angels come down to earth, near enough to touch their harps made of gold.
Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, from heav'n's all gracious king
Heaven's gracious king declares peace and goodwill to all men on earth.
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
The world is in a solemn and peaceful silence as they listen to the singing angels.
Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurl
The angels come through the parted skies with their peaceful wings wide open.
And still their heavenly music floats, O'er all the weary world.
Their angelic music floats over the world that is tired and weary.
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing
The angels glide over the gloomy and humble plains.
And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.
The angels sing their blessed songs over the chaotic sounds of the world.
O ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low
To those who are under life's unbearable burden and whose spirits are crushed.
Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow
Those who struggle and painfully climb up on their path.
Look now for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing
Look now as happier and more prosperous times are about to approach.
O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.
Take a break from the exhausting journey and listen to the angels sing.
For lo the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old
The prophets have already foreseen and the days are rapidly approaching.
When with the ever circling years shall come the time foretold
When that prophesied time comes with the revolving years.
When the new heaven and earth shall own the prince of peace their King
The new world will have the prince of peace, their King.
And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
The entire world will echo the same song that the singing angels are singing right now.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Edmund Sears, Richard Willis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind