It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Philadelphia Orchestra Chorus Lyrics
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That glorious song of old
From Angels playing near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth could will two men
From Heaven's all-gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
And I hear them singing
Sing, I do hear them singing
The first Noel the Angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay, they keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
The first stanza of Philadelphia Orchestra And Chorus's song, "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," presents the listener with a Christmas tale of a glorious, angelic song that was heard in the stillness of the night. The second line of the stanza highlights the significance of this song, as it states that it is an "old" song, which could suggest that it has been sung for ages. The angels, who play their harps of gold, deliver the message of peace to the world. It touches upon the Christian message of peace on earth, which was proclaimed by the all-gracious king, who is God. The stanza highlights the solemnity of the world, which pauses to hear the angels sing. The last line, "to hear the angels sing," emphasizes the central importance of the celestial beings in the song and the comforting spirit of their message.
The next stanza, "And I hear them singing," emphasizes the theme of the angels' message of peace for the world. The repetition of the line, "sing, I do hear them singing," reinforces the importance of the message that the angels are proclaiming. Lastly, the stanza references The First Noel, which dates back to the early eighteenth century. The song's origins bear many different versions, but the most common is said to have come from the French word “Nowell,” which deals with good news. The line goes on to recount the Angel and the poor shepherds who were informed of Jesus' birth on a cold winter night. It brings together the tale of the angelic choir that sang out the message of peace with the starting point of the religious story — the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem in the manger.
Line by Line Meaning
It came upon the midnight clear
At the stroke of midnight, a clear and peaceful melody filled the air
That glorious song of old
The song was magnificent, delightful, and had been heard by many before
From Angels playing near the earth
The song was played by angels stationed close to the earth
To touch their harps of gold
The angels were using their delicate, golden harps to play the song
Peace on the earth could will two men
This divine song brings an end to the conflict on earth and promotes peace among men
From Heaven's all-gracious King
This splendid gift of music is from the merciful king of heaven
The world in solemn stillness lay
The world was in deep, thoughtful, and respectful silence while listening to the angels' song
To hear the Angels sing
Everyone was enraptured with the beautiful song being sung by the angels
And I hear them singing
I am currently tuned in to and listening to the angels' song
Sing, I do hear them singing
Indeed, I can hear the angels joyously singing the good news
The first Noel the Angel did say
It was the angel who first announced the good tidings of Christ's birth
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
The shepherds who received this message were poor and had lain down in the field for rest
In fields where they lay, they keeping their sheep
The shepherds were minding their flock while resting in the open field
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
This spectacular announcement was made on a cold, long, and frosty winter night
Lyrics © IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: DAVID FINDLAY, N TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matthew Nichols
I listen to this every Xmas morning at 4am with a glass of wine... priceless. I go outside and look at the stars and think of all the loved ones that are gone and think of Christmas mornings when I was a kid. And it gives me some tears and I just say merry Christmas and it makes my day
Thee Childlike Empress
That's beautiful.
Gina
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.
William Starsinic
Great arrangements
Matthew
Can't explain the harmony and love in this song. It's like the angels in heaven are playing it. Always tears me up and it's funny all xmas songs are to make you happy but I cry to this one because it's that good and sad that comes out.
tephillah Shalom
Lovely 😍
Hankfan Hankfan
Eugene Ormandy, conductor, and Robert Page, director.