It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels playing near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men
From Heaven’s all-gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing
Listen to the song
Hør sangen
About the carol It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” is a nineteenth-century Christmas carol with lyrics written by American minister and poet Edmund Hamilton Sears in 1849. The melody commonly associated with the song was composed by Richard Storrs Willis. The Library of Congress identifies Sears as the lyricist and Willis as the composer in its historical recording collection. The Library of Congress
The carol describes angels singing on a quiet night and reflects on the message of peace associated with the birth of Christ. Its lyrics move beyond the immediate Nativity scene to consider the troubled condition of the world and humanity’s need to listen to the angels’ message. This gives the song a reflective quality that distinguishes it from more exuberant Christmas carols.
Frank Sinatra’s recording brings the traditional hymn into a polished popular-music setting. The song remains connected to Christmas through its angelic imagery and its focus on the peace announced at the time of Christ’s birth. Its quieter mood makes it especially suited to reflective moments during the holiday season, when Christmas is considered not only as a celebration but also as a message of peace, hope and spiritual renewal.
