Editor: Lee T. Lovallocreate page(submitted 2015-02-18). Score information: Letter, 19 pages, 295 kB Copyright:CPDL
Edition notes: Transposed down a minor 3rd. All dynamic markings are editorial; suggested tempos are based on Hans Nathan's analysis of Billings' Italian tempo indications and meter signatures. Skeletal keyboard reduction is editorial.
General Information
Title:An Anthem for Christmas Composer:William Billings Lyricist:
Description: Original key C major but with note from Billings "N.B. Set this piece one note lower". Text presumably by Billings with note: "Words from Luke 2d and elsewhere".
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Hark! Hark! Hear you not,
Hear you not a cheerful noise
Which make the heavens ring with joy.
See where light stars angels fly
A thousand heavenly echoes cry:
Behold, I bring you glad tidings
Unto you and to all people,
For unto you this day is born
a Savior which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you,
You shall find the babe meanly wrapped
In swaddling bands and lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angels
A multitude of the heavenly host,
And they were praising God and saying:
Glory to God, Glory to God in the highest.
O how can men forbear to sing
When earth with angels' notes do ring?
Then join all your voices,
One chorus to raise,
Ascribing all honor, all glory and praise.
What greater love, what greater gift,
Can God on man bestow,
'Tis half the angel's heaven above,
And all our heaven below.
Then join all your voices,
One chorus to raise,
Ascribing all honor, all glory and praise.
Lord, and shall angels have their songs,
And men no tunes to raise?
O may we lose these useless tongues
When they forget to praise!
Glory to God, that reigns above,
That pitied us forlorn,
We join to sing our Maker's love,
For there's a Savior born.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hosanna in the highest.
English text