The Angels' Song Still Rings in the Height

Like silver lamps in a distant shrine,
The stars are sparkling bright;
The bells of the city of God ring out,
For the Child of Mary is born tonight.
The gloom is past, and the morn at last
Is coming with orient light.

No earthly songs are half so sweet
As those which are filling the skies,
And never a palace shone half so fair
As the manger-bed where our Savior lies;
No night in the year is half so dear
As this which has ended our sighs.

The stars of heaven still shine as at first
They gleamed on this wonderful night,
The bells of the city of God peal out,
And the angels’ song still rings in the height,
And Love still turns where the Godhead burns,
Veiled in flesh from earthly sight.

Faith sees no longer the stable floor,
The pavement of sapphire is there,
The clear light of heav'n streams out to the world,
And the angels of God are crowding the air,
And heav'n and earth, through the Christ-child's birth,
Are at peace on this night so fair.

William Chatterton Dix, 1867; alt.
Tune: THE MANGER THRONE (Irregular)
Charles H. Steggall, 1867




Eight Years Ago: It came upon the midnight clear

Seven Years Ago: While shepherds watched their flocks by night

Six Years Ago: Jesus our brother, strong and good

Four Years Ago: Silent night, holy night