LONG YEARS AGO O'ER BETHLEHEM'S HILLS
"There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch
over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and
the glory of the Lord shone around them." Luke 2:8-9
Words: Charles Whitney Coombs, in The Methodist Hymnal, 1905.
Music: "Festgesang," Alfred G. Wathall, circa 1905.
Long years ago o'er Bethlehem's hills
Was seen a wondrous thing;
As shepherds watched the sleeping flocks
They heard the angels sing.
The anthem rolled among the clouds
When earth was hushed and still;
Its notes proclaimed sweet peace on earth,
To all mankind good will.
Refrain
"Glory to God in the highest,"
The angels' song resounds,
"Glory to God in the highest!"
That song is sung by rich and poor,
Where'er the Christ is known;
'Tis sung in words, and sung in deeds,
Which bind all hearts in one.
Angels are still the choristers,
But we the shepherds are,
To bear the message which they bring,
To those both near and far:
Refrain