Christmas day (4)

 

EARTH TODAY REJOICES 

Earth today rejoices,
Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya,
Death can hurt no more;
And celestial voices,
Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya,
Tell that sin is o'er.
David's sling destroys the foe:
Samson lays the temple low:
War and strife are done,
God and man are one.

Reconciliation,
Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya,
Peace that lasts for aye.
Gladness and salvation,
Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya,
Came on Christmas Day.
Gideon's Fleece is wet with dew,
Solomon is crown'd anew:
War and strife are done.
God and man are one.

Though the cold grows stronger,
Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya,
Though the world loves night,
Yet the days grow longer,
Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya,
Chris is born our Light.
Now the Dial's type is learnt,
Burns the Bush that is not burnt:
War and strife are done;
God and man are one.

 The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Earth Today Rejoices' were written by John Mason Neale (1830-1894)'.John Mason Neale was born in London, the son of a Minister and was educated at Cambridge and he was ordained in May 1842. He was famous for writing the words of Good King Wenceslas. The music is from the Piae Cantiones. The Piae Cantiones is a collection of medieval Latin songs which originate from Finland. The first collection of these songs were published in the 1600's by Theodoricus Petri Rutha. The first English edition was published in 1910 by G.R. Woodward.