Hark! The Herald Banjo Rings
Christmas 2009
December 24 - Christmas Eve
It is Christmas Eve! The lyrics to "Joy to the World!" are by Isaac Watts, the father of English hymnody and perhaps the greatest English-language hymnodist. "Joy to the World!" ranks with "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" as one of his best hymns. The tune was arranged by Lowell Mason.
This piece is performed by Lindsey Barlow, Greg's sister, and her friend Amanda Stewart. They both sing and play the ukulele.
Downloads: mp3
Joy to the World!
Performed by Lindsey Barlow and Amanda Stewart (ukulele, vocals)
Words: Isaac Watts, 1719; alt.
Music: ANTIOCH, attr. George Frederick Handel, 1742; arr. Lowell Mason, 1836.
Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns:
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
Sources and more information
- Presbyterian Hymnal, 1990.
- Hymns and Carols of Christmas