YE OLDE CHRISTMAS CAROLE III

"Angels From The Realms Of Glory" was written in 1816 by Irishman James Montgomery, and first appeared in his newspaper, The Iris, on Christmas Eve 1816, under the title "Nativity". The 5th stanza is actually from "The Christmas Box" written in 1825. Henry Thomas Smart wrote the music, entitled "Regent Square", in 1867. Smart was blind by that time, and named the music after the Regent Square Presbyterian Church in London.

"Angels From The Realms of Glory"
Words: James Montgomery, 1816; 5th Stanza 1825
Music: Henry Thomas Smart, 1867

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Refrain

Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:

Refrain

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.

Refrain

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.

Refrain

Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.

Refrain

Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:

Refrain

All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To th’eternal Three in One.

Refrain