{
Mortals, Awake, with Angels Join
ATHENS-Felice de Giardini
Mortals, Awake, with Angels Join
}
Mortals, awake, with angels join
And chant the solemn lay;
Joy, love, and gratitude, combine
To hail Th'auspicious day.
In heaven the rapturous song began,
And sweet seraphic fire
Through all the shining legions ran,
And strung and tuned the lyre.
Swift through the vast expanse it flew,
And loud the echo rolled;
The theme, the song, the joy, was new,
'Twas more than heaven could hold.
Down through the portals of the sky
Th'impetuous torrent ran;
And angels flew, with eager joy,
To bear the news to man.
Hark! the cherubic armies shout,
And glory leads the song;
"Good will and peace" are heard throughout
Th'harmonious angel throng.
With joy the chorus we'll repeat,
"Glory to God on high!
Good will and peace are now complete;
Jesus was born to die!"
Hail, Prince of life! forever hail,
Redeemer, brother, friend!
Though earth, and time, and life, should fail,
Thy praise shall never end.