A Christmas Eve Choral

_Halleluja!

What sound is this across the dark

While all the earth is sleeping? Hark!

Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja!_

Why are thy tender eyes so bright,

Mary, Mary?

On the prophetic deep of night

Joseph, Joseph,

I see the borders of the light,

And in the day that is to be

An aureoled man-child I see,

Great love's son, Joseph.

_Halleluja!

He hears not, but she hears afar,

The Minstrel Angel of the star.

Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja!_

Why is thy gentle smile so deep,

Mary, Mary?

It is the secret I must keep,

Joseph, Joseph,--

The joy that will not let me sleep,

The glory of the coming days,

When all the world shall turn to praise

God's goodness, Joseph.

_Halleluja!

Clear as the bird that brings the morn

She hears the heavenly music borne.

Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja!_

Why is thy radiant face so calm,

Mary, Mary?

His strength is like a royal palm,

Joseph, Joseph;

His beauty like the victor's psalm.

He moves like morning o'er the lands

And there is healing in his hands

For sorrow, Joseph.

_Halleluja!

Tender as dew-fall on the earth

She hears the choral of love's birth.

Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja!_

What is the message come to thee,

Mary, Mary?

I hear like wind within the tree,

Joseph, Joseph,

Or like a far-off melody

His deathless voice proclaiming peace,

And bidding ruthless wrong to cease,

For love's sake, Joseph.

_Halleluja!

Moving as rain-wind in the spring

She hears the angel chorus ring.

Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja!_

Why are thy patient hands so still,

Mary, Mary?

I see the shadow on the hill,

Joseph, Joseph,

And wonder if it is God's will

That courage, service, and glad youth

Shall perish in the cause of truth

Forever, Joseph.

_Halleluja!

Her heart in that celestial chime

Has heard the harmony of time.

Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja!_

Why is thy voice so strange and far,

Mary, Mary?

I see the glory of the star,

Joseph, Joseph;

And in its light all things that are,

Made glad and wise beyond the sway

Of death and darkness and dismay,

In God's time Joseph.

_Halleluja!

To every heart in love 'tis given

To hear the ecstasy of heaven.

Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja._

Later Poems(#33417) · 第 151 / 164 题