by Robert Fuller Murray (1863 - 1893?4)
Early on Christmas Day
Language: English
Early on Christmas Day, Love, as awake I lay, And heard the Christmas bells ring sweet and clearly, My heart stole through the gloom Into your silent room, And whispered to your heart, 'I love you dearly.' There, in the dark profound, Your heart was sleeping sound, And dreaming some fair dream of summer weather. At my heart's word it woke, And, ere the morning broke, They sang a Christmas carol both together. Glory to God on high! Stars of the morning sky, Sing as ye sang upon the first creation, When all the Sons of God Shouted for joy abroad, And earth was laid upon a sure foundation. Glory to God again! Peace and goodwill to men, And kindly feeling all the wide world over, Where friends with joy and mirth Meet round the Christmas hearth, Or dreams of home the solitary rover. Glory to God! True hearts, Lo, now the dark departs, And morning on the snow-clad hills grows grey. Oh, may love's dawning light, Kindled from loveless night, Shine more and more unto the perfect day!
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Authorship:
- by Robert Fuller Murray (1863 - 1893?4), "A Christmas fancy" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Frances Allitsen (1848 - 1912), "From heart to heart", published 1901 [ voice and piano ], from Two Christmas Songs, no. 2, London and New York : Boosey & Co. [sung text not yet checked]
- by Frances Allitsen (1848 - 1912), "Glory to God on high", alternate title: "Sacred song", subtitle: "A Christmas carol", published 1902 [ voice and piano ], [New York] : G. Schirmer [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2012-08-20
Line count: 30
Word count: 180