Words & Music: , The Sil­ver Song (To­le­do, Ohio: W. W. Whit­ney, 1870), num­ber 97.

This song was writ­ten to be sung by child­ren on Christ­mas morn­ing. Girls, then boys, al­ter­nate (four lines each) in the first three vers­es, then sing the last verse to­ge­ther.


What is the song the angels sing?
Sweetly sing, gladly sing;
What is the song the angels sing,
On a Christmas morning?
O, “Peace on earth,” the angels sing,
Sweetly sing, gladly sing,
O, “Peace on earth,” the angels sing,
On a Christmas morning.

Refrain

O blessèd morn! O wondrous King!
A Savior born, the Lord’s anointed,
Enters on the work appointed,
Leaves the heav’nly world awhile,
God and man to reconcile.
(repeat)

What is the blessing angels bring?
Gladly bring, truly bring;
What is the blessing angels bring,
On a Christmas morning?
“Good will to men,” the angels bring,
Gladly bring, truly bring;
“Good will to men,” the angels bring,
On a Christmas morning.

Refrain

O, tell me why should children sing?
Sweetly sing, gladly sing;
O, tell me why should children sing,
On a Christmas morning?
In Bethlehem was born a King,
Children’s King, angels’ King;
In Bethlehem was born a King,
On a Christmas morning.

Refrain

Then let us all together sing,
Sweetly sing, gladly sing;
Then let us all together sing,
On this Christmas morning.
Glory to Him Whom love did bring,
Sweetly bring, gladly bring;
Glory to Him Whom love did bring,
On this Christmas morning.

Refrain