by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

Boston
Language: English 
Methinks I see a heav’nly host
Of angels on the wing;
Methinks I hear their cheerful notes,
So merrily they sing
Let all your fears be banish’d hence;
Glad tidings we proclaim,
For there’s a Savior born to day,
And Jesus is his name.
Let all your fears be banish’d hence;
Glad tidings we proclaim,
For there’s a Savior born to day,
And Jesus is his name.

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.
Glory to God that reigns above,
that pitied us forlorn,
We join to sing our Maker’s Love,
for there’s a Savior born.

Note: another version has different but overlapping words: 

'Shepherds, rejoice, lift up your eyes
And send your fears away;
News from the regions of the skies -
A Savior's born today!
Jesus, the God whom angels fear
Comes down to dwell with you!
Today he makes his entrance here
But not as monarchs do
  Jesus, the God whom angels fear
  Comes down to dwell with you!
  Today he makes his entrance here
  But not as monarchs do

'No gold or purple swaddling bands
Nor royal shining things;
A manger for his cradle stands
And holds the King of Kings
Go, shepherds, where the infant lies
And see his humble throne;
With tears of joy in all your eyes
Go, shepherds, kiss the Son.'
  Go, shepherds, where the infant lies
  And see his humble throne;
  With tears of joy in all your eyes
  Go, shepherds, kiss the Son.'

Thus Gabriel sang, and straight around
The heavenly armies throng;
They tune their harps to lofty sound
And thus conclude the song;
'Glory to God that reigns above
Let peace surround the earth;
Mortals shall know their maker's love
At their Redeemer's birth.'
  'Glory to God that reigns above
  Let peace surround the earth;
  Mortals shall know their maker's love
  At their Redeemer's birth.'

Lord! and shall angels have their songs
And men no tunes to raise?
Oh, may we lose our useless tongues
When they forget to praise
Glory to God that reigns above
That pitied us forborn;
We join to sing our maker's love
For there's a Savior born
  Glory to God that reigns above
  That pitied us forborn;
  We join to sing our maker's love
  For there's a Savior born.

Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):


Researcher for this page: Ross Klatte

This text was added to the website: 2026-03-28
Line count: 24
Word count: 136