Hark! hark! the notes of joy

Roll o’er the heavenly plains,

And seraphs find employ

For their sublimest strains:

Some new delight in heaven is known;

Loud sound the harps around the throne.

2 Hark! hark! the sound draws nigh—

The joyful host descends;

The Lord forsakes the sky,

To earth his footsteps bends:

He comes to bless our fallen race;

He comes with messages of grace.

3 Bear, bear the tidings round!

Let every mortal know

What love in God is found,

What pity he can show:

Ye winds that blow, ye waves that roll,

Bear the glad news from pole to pole.

4 Strike, strike the harps again,

To great Immanuel’s name!

Arise, ye sons of men,

And all his grace proclaim:

Angels and men, wake every string,

’Tis God the Saviour’s praise we sing!