Chalice Hymnal ‎#166

166. 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

1 ’Twas in the moon of wintertime,
when all the birds had fled,
that mighty Gitchi Manitou
sent angel choirs instead;
before their light the stars grew dim,
and wondering hunters heard the hymn:

Refrain:
Peace on earth, Christ is born,
Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

2 Within a lodge of broken bark
the tender babe was found,
a ragged robe of rabbit skin
enwrapped His beauty round;
but as the hunter braves drew nigh,
the angel song rang loud and high: [Refrain]

3 The earliest moon of wintertime
is not so round and fair
as was the ring of glory on
the helpless Infant there.
The chiefs from far before Him knelt
with gifts of fox and beaver pelt. [Refrain]

4 O children of the forest free,
the angel song is true;
the holy child of earth and heaven
is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy,
who brings you beauty, peace, and joy. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: 'Twas in the moon of wintertime
• Title: 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
• Author: Jean de Brébeauf (c. 1643)
• Translator: Jesse E. Middleton (1926, alt.)
• Refrain First Line: Peace on earth, Christ is born
• Meter: 86.86.88 w. refrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1995
• Topic: God Known in Jesus Christ: Birth; Christian Year: Christmas; Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ: Birth
• Copyright: Tr. © 1927 Frederick Harris Music Co.
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: JESOUS AHATONHIA
• Harmonizer: Frederick F. Jackisch (1978)
• Meter: 86.86.88 w. refrain
• Key: g minor
• Source: French Canadian melody
• Copyright: harm. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, used by permission of Augsburg Fortress