As With Gladness Men of Old, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

As With Gladness Men of Old | Hark the Herald Angels Sing (PDF)
SATB choir, Piano
Optional Violin and Cello Parts
Words by Dix & Wesley, Music by Mendelssohn, Counterpoint by M Ryan Taylor

This arrangement takes the famous tune by Felix Mendelssohn & places a new 18th-century style counterpoint around it. The result is very energetic, perfect for the end (or opening) of a Christmas program. Two sets of words are given with the tune, the traditional "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" and a lesser-known abridgement of William C. Dix's remarkable "As With Gladness Men of Old." Whichever words you use, the effect will certainly be uplifting, though the placement in the program may change.

The Text:
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed it's light,
Leading onward beaming bright;
As with joyful steps they sped
To the lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heav'n and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy
Pure, and free from sin's alloy,
All our finest talents bring,
Christ, to Thee, our Savior King,
And, when earthly things are passed,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.