it came upon a midnight clear

it came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold, peace on the earth goodwill to men, from heavens all gracious king, the world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing, o ye beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way, with painful steps and slow, look now for glad and golden hours, come swiftly on the wing, oh rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing, for lo! the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, when with the ever-circling years, shall come the time foretold, when the new heaven and earth shall own, the prince of peace, the king, and the whole world send back the song, which now the angels sing