Sussex Carol

English Traditional

MIDI / Noteworthy Composer

1. On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring
On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring

Chorus:
News of great joy news of great mirth
News of our merciful King's birth
When from our sin he set us free
All for to gain our liberty?

2. Then why should men on earth be so sad
Since our Redeemer made us glad
Then why should men on earth be so sad
Since our Redeemer made us glad Chorus

3. When sin departs before his grace
Then life and health come in its place
When in its place, angels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the new born King Chorus

4. All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night
Glory to God and peace to men
Now and forever more, Amen.

On Christmas Night

Also known as
On Christmas Night True Christians Sing
On Christmas Night All Christians Sing
The Sussex Carol

Version 7
See Notes Under On Christmas Night - Version 1

Words and Music: English Traditional

Source: Cecil J. Sharp, English Folk-Carols (London: Novello & Co., Ltd., 1911)

1. On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear what news those angels bring;
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our Saviour King's own birth.

2. Then why should men on earth be so sad?
Since our Redeemer made us glad,
When from sin He set us free
All for to gain our liberty.

3. Now sin depart, behold His grace,
Everlasting life comes in its place,
And soon we shall its terror see
And poor and rich must conquered be.

4. Then out of darkness we see light,
Which makes all angels to sing this night:
Glory to God and peace to men
Both now and evermore. Amen.

On Christmas Night

Also known as
On Christmas Night True Christians Sing
On Christmas Night All Christians Sing
The Sussex Carol

Version 1

Tune and text collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1919
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

1. On Christmas night true Christians sing
To hear what news the angel bring
News of great joy, cause of great mirth
Good tidings of the Saviour's birth
Good tidings of the Saviour's birth

2. Angels with joy sing in the air,
No music may with theirs compare;
While prisoners in their chains rejoice
To hear the echoes of that voice.

3. So how on earth can men be sad,
When Jesus comes to make us glad;
From sin and hell to set us free,
And buy for us our liberty?

4. Let sin depart, while we His grace,
And glory see in Jesus' face;
For so shall we sure comforts find
When thus this day we bear in mind.

5. And from the darkness we have light,
Which makes the Angels sing this night:
"Glory to God, His peace to men,
Both now and evermore." Amen.