The Angel’s Proclamation

Hark! the mighty tones sublime,
Trumpet tongues of olden time—
Breathing on the silent air,
Shouting glory everywhere!
Hark! again their joyful sound
Rings afar, the earth around;
While a vast, adoring throng
Catch the strain and join the song.

Refrain

Unto us a Child is giv’n;
Open now the gates of Heav’n;
Eden lost, to man restored,
Thro’ the birth of Christ the Lord.

Mourning captive, cease thy tears;
Lo! the promised day appears,
Thro’ the misty veil of night,
Bursting in a flood of light;
Oh, what wondrous things are done
By the Father, thro’ the Son!
Oh, the smile of pard’ning grace,
Beaming in the Savior’s face.

Refrain

Now with healing in her wings,
Hark! a white robed angel sings:
“Mortals, from the realms above
I have borne my harp of love;
Hallelujah! sing with me;
Hail your greatest jubilee!
Sing, in purest, sweetest lays,
On this holy day of days.”

Refrain

Author: Fanny Crosby

Year: 1875

Fanny Crosby (also known as Frances Jane Crosby or Mrs. Van Alstyne) wrote the lyrics to hundreds of hymns in the 19th century. This Christmas-themed text matches her style and appears in hymnals and collections from the 1870s–1880s under her name (sometimes with music by William H. Doane or similar composers). No strong alternate attributions found.