1 Let sweet and holy sound enwrap the earth around,
For all the world’s Delight in swathing bands is bound,
And golden with His light is Bethlehem’s poor stall.
Hail! First and Last of all! Hail! First and Last of all!
2 O Baby soft and weak Thou makest my dumb heart speak;
O little Child most High, by this Thy love so meek,
Grant me to live and die in Thy sweet loyalty.
Oh! call me after Thee! Oh! call me after Thee!
3 Oh! Love of God the Sire! O pitying desire
Of His eternal Son! from sin and quenchless fire
Our souls hath Jesus won to deck His palace fair:
Oh would that we were there! Oh would that we were there!
4 For gladness never dies in those immortal skies;
The golden tides of song from choirèd angels rise;
And in the turrets strong, sweet bells make praise and prayer;
Oh would that we were there! Oh would that we were there!