Words: , in The Sil­ver Spray, by W. H. Doane (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: John Church & Co., 1868).

Music: .


Why do the holy angels sing?
Why do the heav’nly arches ring
With anthems sweet from seraphs bright,
With glitt’ring crowns and robes of white?

Refrain

They sing of the Lamb that was slain,
The Savior that lives again,
The Root and the Offspring of David,
The bright and Morning Star!

Glory to Thee, our God, they cry,
Maker of earth, and sea, and sky,
To Thee our highest strains belong,
Thou great Inspirer of our song.

Refrain

Beautiful world where all is bright,
Rivers of gold and fields of light,
In murmured tones of joy prolong
The echo of the angels’ song.

Refrain

Well may the holy angels sing,
Well may the heav’nly arches ring,
With anthems sweet from choirs above,
They sing of God, and God is love.

Refrain