1. It came upon the midnight, that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men from heav'ns all gracious King! "
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
2. Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heav'nly music floats o'er all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hov'ring wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.
3. 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.
4. For lo, the days are hast'ning on, by prophet bards foretold,
When with the ever circling years comes'round the age of gold.
When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendor fling
And the whole world bring back the song which now the angels sing.
Traduction
Il est venu à minuit, ce chant glorieux d'autrefois,
Des anges se penchant près de la terre, pour toucher leurs harpes d'or :
"Paix sur la terre, bonne volonté aux hommes des cieux tout gracieux Roi!"
Le monde dans une immobilité solennelle s'étendait pour entendre les anges chanter.