Words: , in Car­ols for Use in Church, by (Lon­don: Will­iam Clowes & Sons, Lim­it­ed, 1894), num­ber 1.

Music: Merry Christ­mas, C. T. Bowen. Al­ter­nate tune:

If you know C. T. Bow­en’s full name, or where to get a pho­to of him


Sing we merry Christmas,
Christmas blithe and free!
Time of holy gladness,
Mirth and minstrelsy.
Hark! the merry church bells
Ringing joyously,
Hailing with sweet music
Christ’s nativity.

Haste we to the temple,
Wreathe our garlands green;
Deck each arch and column
For the festive scene.
Glory in the highest!
Hark the angels sing;
Glory in the highest
To our infant King!

Pastor, choir, and people
Join in concert all;
Sing your loudest praises
At our festival.
Joy for us poor exiles
Comes this happy morn;
Jesus our Emmanuel,
Christ, the Lord, is born!