Penned by James Montgomery, this Christmas song “Angels from the Realms of Glory” was first published in his Sheffield newspaper on the Christmas Eve of 1816. Later, it was republished in the Christian Psalmist, 1825 with some additions. Isaac Gregory Smith wrote another version of this Christmas carol in 1855. Henry Smart gave the music to this song and it was first played in Psalms and Hymns for Divine Worship in London in 1867.
v1–Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye, who sang creation’s story,
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Refrain–Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the new-born King.
v2–Shepherds in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant Light:
v3–Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar:
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen his natal star:
v4–Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In his temple shall appear:
I remember singing this carol at the Presbyterian church in Springdale, when attending there during the Christmas season.
Interesting words and parallel construction of the verses. Thanks for “chiming in.”