This welcome sound the shepherds hear, While watching o’er their fleecy care; “In David’s city,” Gabriel cries, “The Saviour in a manger lies!” Rejoice, &c. 22. The lands that long in darkness lay now have beheld a heavenly light; Nations that sat in death’s cold shade are blest with beams divinely bright. The Virgin’s promised Son is born; behold the expected Child appear! What shall his name or titles be?—“The Wonderful, the Counsellor!” The Infant is the mighty God, come to be suckled and adored; The Eternal Father, Prince of Peace, the Son of David, and his Lord. The government of earth and seas upon his shoulders shall be laid; His wide dominions still increase, and honours to his name be paid. 23. Hark! the glad sound! The Saviour comes, the Saviour promised long! Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song. He comes the prisoners to release, in Satan’s bondage held; The gates of brass before him burst, the iron fetters yield. Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, thy welcome shall proclaim; And heaven’s eternal arches ring with thy beloved Name. 24. Hark; the celestial heralds sing, and hail the birth-day of their King! Come, sinners, wipe your flowing tears, the Hope of Israel now appears! CHORUS: Welcome news the angels bring on this solemn morn; Good-will to men they sweetly sing, all glory to our heavenly King, A Saviour born! Hark! ’tis Gabriel’s heavenly voice, that bids the favour’d swains rejoice! Now, shepherds, cast your fears away; the promis’d Saviour’s born to-day. Cho.—Welcome news, &c. Christ the Eternal Son of God, has left his Father’s bright abode, To save a lost and ruin’d race, that they may ever sing his praise. Cho.—Welcome news, &c. 25. What good news the angels bring! what glad-tidings of our King! Christ, the Lord, is born to-day; Christ who takes our sins away. Lift your hearts and voices high, with hosannas fill the sky; Glory be to God above, God is infinite in love! Shout ye nations of the earth, sing the triumphs of his birth; All the world by Him is blest! sound his praise from east to west. 26. All glory to God in the sky, and peace upon earth he restored; O Jesus! exalted on high, appears our Omnipotent Lord! Who meanly in Bethlehem born, didst stoop to redeem a lost race, Once more to thy creatures return, and reign in thy kingdom of grace!