"O Holy Night"
French words : Placide Cappeau 1847
English translation : D.S.Dwight
Music : Adolphe Adam


1- O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!


2- Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!


3- Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!


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"What Child Is This?"
William Chatterton Dix 1865
(*legend has it that this was the original tune for
 "Greensleeves" a song written by a sailor
- adapted for Christmas) 


1- What child is this, who, laid to rest, 
On Mary’s lap is sleeping? 
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, 
While shepherds watch are keeping? 


This, this is Christ the King, 
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; 
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, 
The babe, the Son of Mary. 


2- Why lies He in such mean estate 
Where ox and ass are feeding? 
Good Christian, fear, for sinners here 
The silent Word is pleading. 


This, this is Christ the King, 
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; 
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, 
The babe, the Son of Mary. 


3- So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, 
Come, peasant, king, to own Him; 
The King of kings salvation brings; 
Let loving hearts enthrone Him. 


This, this is Christ the King, 
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; 
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, 
The babe, the Son of Mary.


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"We Three Kings Of Orient Are"
John H. Hopkins


1- We three kings of Orient are,
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.


Refrain: O star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright;
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light!


2- Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King for ever, ceasing never
over us all to reign. (Refrain) 

3- Frankincense to offer have I:
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, gladly raising,
worship him, God Most High. (Refrain) 

4- Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb. (Refrain) 

5- Glorious now behold him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice;
heaven sings alleluia; 
alleluia the earth replies. (Refrain) 

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"Silent Night"
Joseph Mohr / Franz Gruber 1816
(my version has modulation from Bb to C in 3rd verse)


1- Silent night Holy night All is calm all is bright 
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child 
Holy infant so tender and mild 
Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace 

2- Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight. 
Glories stream from heaven afar, 
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia; 
Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born. 

3- Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light. 
Radiant beams from Thy holy face, 
With the dawn of redeeming grace, 
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth; Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. 

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"It Came Upon The Midnight Clear"
Original Tune : Traditional
2nd version : R.S Willis 1850
Words : E.H. Sears 1846


1- It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven's all-gracious King".
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. 

2- Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o'er its babble sounds the blessed angels sing. 

3- Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long.
Beneath the heavenly strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong,
and man, at war with man, hears not the tidings which they bring.
O hush the noise, ye world of strife, 

4- O ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing! 

5- For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold;
when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world give back the song which now the angels sing. 

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"Angels We Have Heard On High"
19th Century French Carol


1- Angels we have heard on high. 
Sweetly singing o'er the plains.
And the mountains in reply, 
echoing their joyous strains. 

Glo...............ria in excelsis Deo 
Glo...............ria in excelsis De-eo 


2- Shepherds why this jubilee? 
Why your joyous strains prolong? 
What the glad-some tidings be. 
Which inspire your heavenly song? 

Glo...............ria in excelsis Deo 
Glo...............ria in excelsis Deo 
Glo...............ria in excelsis Deo 
Glo...............ria in excelsis Deo 
Glo...............ria in excelsis Deo 
Glo...............ria in excelsis De-eo 


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"O Come All Ye Faithful"
17th Century Latin Words by John Francis Wade
English Translation by F. Oakley 1841


1- O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem,
Come and behold him, born the king of angels: 

Refrain:
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the lord! 

2- Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation.
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above,
Glory to God in the highest (Refrain) 

3- Yea, Lord we great thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. (Refrain) 

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"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
Words by Charles Wesley
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy


1- Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King, 
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! 
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; 
with th' angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! 
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King! 

2- Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; 
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb. 
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th' incarnate Deity, 
pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. 
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King! 

3- Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! 
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. 
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, 
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. 
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King! 

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"The First Noel"
17th Century English Carol


1- The First Noel the angels did say, 
was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, 
on a cold winters night that was so deep. 

Chorus:
Noel - Noel - Noel - Noel - 
Born is the King of Israel 

2- They look-ed up and saw a star, 
shining in the East beyond them far, 
and to the earth it gave great light, 
and so it continued both day and night. 
(repeat chorus) 

3- And by the light of that same star, 
three wise men came from a country far; 
to seek for a King was their intent, 
and to follow the star where it went. 
(repeat chorus) 

4- This star drew night to the Northwest, 
o'er Bethlehem it took it's rest; 
and there it did both stop and stay, 
right o'er the place where Jesus lay. 
(repeat chorus) 

5- Then entered in those three wise men, 
full reverently upon their knee; 
and offered there in His presence, 
their gold, myrhh and frankincense. 
(repeat chorus) 

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"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
17th Century English Carol


1- God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray. 

Chorus:
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy! 

2- In Bethlehem, in Israel, This blessed Babe was born,
And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn;
The which His mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn.
(repeat chorus) 

3- From God our heavenly Father A blessed angel came;
And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born The son of God by name.
(repeat chorus) 

4- Fear not, then, said the angel, Let nothing you afright.
This day is born a Savior Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him From Satan's power and might.
(repeat chorus) 

5- The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl'em straightaway This blessed Babe to find. 
(repeat chorus) 

6- But when to Bethlehem they came Where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling Unto the Lord did pray.
(repeat chorus) 

7- Now to the Lord sing praises All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas All others doth deface.
(repeat chorus) 

8- God bless the ruler of this house, And send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas May live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred That live both far and near.
(repeat chorus) 

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"Joy To The World"
Words by Isaac Watts
Music by George F. Handel


1- Joy to the world, the Lord is come! 
Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, 
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, 
and heaven and nature sing. 

2- Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns! 
Let all their songs employ; while fields & floods, 
rocks, hills & plains, repeat their sounding joy, 
repeat their sounding joy, repeat, repeat their sounding joy. 

3- No more let sins and sorrows grow 
nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings 
flow far as the curse is found, flow far as the curse is found, 
as far as, far as the curse is found. 

4- He rules the world with truth and grace 
and makes the nations prove; the glories of his righteousness, 
and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, 
and wonders, and wonders of His love.
(And wonders, and wonders of... His... love.)


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"O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)"
18th Century German
(Original Translation?)


1- O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how steadfast are your braches! 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how steadfast are your braches! 
Your boughs are green in summer's clime, 
and through the snows of wintertime. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how steadfast are your branches! 

2- O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, what happiness befalls me. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, what happiness befalls me. 
When oft at joyous Christmas-time, 
your form inspires my song and rhyme. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, what happiness befalls me. 

3- O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, your boughs can teach a lesson. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, your boughs can teach a lesson. 
That constant faith and hope sublime 
lend strength and comfort through the time. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, your boughs can teach a lesson. 

(Modern Translation?) 

1- O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, you stand in verdant beauty. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, you stand in verdant beauty. 
Your boughs are green in summers' glow 
and do not fade in winters' snow. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, you stand in verdant beauty. 

2- O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, much pleasure doth thou bring me. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, much pleasure doth thou bring me. 
For every year the Christmas tree, 
brings to us all both joy and glee. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, much pleasure doth thou bring me. 

3- O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, thy candles shine out brightly. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, thy candles shine out brightly. 
Each bough doth hold its' tiny light, 
that makes each toy to sparkle bright. 
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, thy candles shine out brightly. 

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"We Wish You A Merry Christmas"
Traditional English Carol
(Original Translation?)


1- We wish you a merry Christmas; We wish you a merry Christmas;
We wish you a merry Christmas; And a happy New Year.
Glad tidings we bring To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas And a happy New Year!


2- Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; And a cup of good cheer.
Glad tidings we bring To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas And a happy New Year!


3- We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some; So bring some out here!
Glad tidings we bring To you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas And a happy New Year!


(bg version has instrumental interlude here)
We wish you a merry Christmas; We wish you a merry Christmas;
We wish you a merry Christmas; 
And a... hap-py... New... Year.... 

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"Here We Come A'Wassailing"
19th Century English Carol


1- Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green.
Here we come a-wandering so fair to be seen. 

(Chorus)
Love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail too, 
and God bless you and send you a Happy New Year, 
and God send you a Happy New Year. 

2- Our wassail cup is made of the rose-mary tree, 
and so is your beer of the best barley.
(repeat chorus) 

3- We're not the daily beggars who beg from door-to-door, 
but we are the neighbors' children you have seen before.
(repeat chorus) 

4- Good Master and the Mistress as you sit by the fire,
pray for us poor children who're wandering in the mire. 
(repeat chorus) 

5- We have got a little purse of ratching leather skin, (we)
want some of your money to line it well within. 
(repeat chorus) 

6- Call up the butler of this house, put on his golden ring. 
Let him bring a glass of beer, the better we shall sing. 
(repeat chorus) 

7- Bring us out a table and spread it with a cloth. 
Bring us out some mouldy cheese, some of your Christmas loaf. 
(repeat chorus) 

8- God bless the Master of this house, like-wise the Mistress too, 
and all the little chldren that 'round the table go. 
(repeat chorus) 

9- And all your kin and kin-folk that dwell both far and near. 
We wish Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 
(repeat last part of chorus twice then slow) 

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