On the Birthday of the Lord (Littledale)

On the birthday of the Lord
Angels joy in glad accord,
And they sing in sweetest tone,
Glory be to God alone,
Glory be to God alone.

Refrain

God is born of maiden fair,
Mary doth the Savior bear;
Mary ever pure, Mary ever pure.

These good news an angel told
To the shepherds by their fold,
Told them of the Savior’s birth,
Told them of the joy for earth,
Told them of the joy for earth.

Refrain

Born is now Emmanuel,
He, announced by Gabriel,
He, whom prophets old attest,
Cometh from His Father’s breast,
Cometh from His Father’s breast.

Refrain

Born today is Christ the Child,
Born of Mary undefiled,
Born the King and Lord we own;
Glory be to God alone,
Glory be to God alone.

Refrain

Author: Richard Frederick Littledale

Year: 1867

The subtitle "(Littledale)" in the title directly attributes the English translation/adaptation to Richard Frederick Littledale, who produced many carol and hymn translations from Latin and other languages in the 19th century. This matches known works by him from around 1867.