There’s a Song in the Air

Do you have a favorite Christmas carol? You rarely hear my favorite one, probably because it covers quite a range of notes, making it difficult for most folks to sing.

The words were written by Josiah Holland, the founder of Scribner’s magazine, in 1872. While assembling a new Methodist Hymnal in1904, Karl P. Harrington, a Wesleyan University music professor, set the poem to music.

There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

There’s a tumult of joy o’er the wonderful birth,
For the virgin’s sweet Boy is the Lord of the earth.
Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;
And that song from afar has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
In the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!

We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song
That comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,
And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!

By Josiah G. Holland, Public Domain

Click here to listen to a beautiful version.