Ye Nations All, On You I Call

Written by William "Singing Billy" Walker, American baptist song leader and compiler of four "shaped note" tunebooks. Sung by the Freudig Singers for The American Christmas Pie Concerts 2011

Ye nations all, on you I call: come hear this declaration,

And don’t refuse this glorious news of Jesus and salvation!

To royal Jews came first the news of Christ the great Messiah,

As was foretold by prophets old: Isaiah, Jeremiah.

To Abraham the promise came, and to his seed for ever,

A light to shine in Isaac’s line, by Scripture we discover.

Hail, promised morn! The Saviour’s born, the glorious Mediator -

God’s blessed Word, made flesh and blood, assumed the human nature.

His parents, poor in earthly store to entertain the stranger,

They found no bed to lay his head but in the ox’s manger;

No royal things, as used by kings, were seen by those that found him,

But in the hay the stranger lay, with swaddling bands around him.

On the same night a glorious light to shepherds there appeared;

Bright angels came in shining flame: they saw and greatly feared.

The angels said: “Be not afraid! Although we much alarm you,

We do appear good news to bear, as now we will inform you.

“The city’s name is Bethlehem, the which God hath appointed;

This glorious morn a Saviour’s born, for him God hath anointed.

By this you’ll know, if you will go to see this little stranger:

His lovely charms in Mary’s arms, both lying in a manger.”

When this was said, straightway was made a glorious sound from heaven;

Each flaming tongue an anthem sung: “To men a Saviour’s given!

In Jesus’ name, the glorious theme, we elevate our voices;

At Jesus’ birth be peace on earth; meanwhile all heav’n rejoices.”