When Christ Was Born in Bethlehem
Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This chart compares the text from different versions of “When Christ Was Born in Bethlehem” in English.
When Christ Was Born in Bethlehem
Hymns (1948), no. 295
When Christ Was Born in Bethlehem
Hymns (1948), no. 295
1. When Christ was born in Bethlehem,
1. When Christ was born in Bethlehem,
’Twas night, but seemed the noon of day;
’Twas night, but seemed the noon of day;
The stars, whose light
The stars, whose light
Was pure and bright,
Was pure and bright,
Shone with unwav’ring ray,
Shone with unwav’ring ray,
shone with unwav’ring ray;
shone with unwav’ring ray;
But one, one glorious star,
But one, one glorious star,
But one, one glorious star
But one, one glorious star
Guided the eastern magi from afar.
Guided the eastern magi from afar.
2. Then peace was spread throughout the land;
2. Then peace was spread throughout the land;
The lion fed beside the lamb;
The lion fed beside the lamb;
And with the kid
And with the kid
To pasture led
To pasture led
The spotted leopard fed,
The spotted leopard fed,
The spotted leopard fed;
The spotted leopard fed;
In peace the calf and bear,
In peace the calf and bear,
In peace the calf and bear,
In peace the calf and bear,
The wolf and lamb reposed together there.
The wolf and lamb reposed together there.
3. As shepherds watch’d their flocks by night,
3. As shepherds watch’d their flocks by night,
An angel brighter than the sun,
An angel brighter than the sun,
Appeared in air,
Appeared in air,
And gently said,
And gently said,
“Fear not, be not afraid,
“Fear not, be not afraid,
Fear not, be not afraid.
Fear not, be not afraid.
For lo! beneath your eyes,
For lo! beneath your eyes,
For lo! beneath your eyes,
For lo! beneath your eyes,
Earth has become a smiling paradise!”
Earth has become a smiling paradise!”
The text of this song is in public domain (originally published before 1930, or published before 1964 and not renewed).