Verse 1
A message came to a maiden young;
The angel stood beside her
In shining robes, and with golden tongue
He told what should betide her:
The maid was lost in wonder;
Her world was rent asunder;
Ah! how could she
Christ’s mother be
By God’s most high decree!
Verse 2
No greater news could a messenger bring;
For ’twas from the young mother
He came, who walked on the earth as a king,
And yet to all a brother:
His truth has spread like leaven;
‘Twill marry earth to heaven,
Till all agree
In charity
To dwell from sea to sea.
Verse 3
He came, God’s Word to the world here below;
And round him there did gather
A band who found that this teacher to know
Was e’en to know the Father:
He healed the sick who sought him,
Forgave the foes who fought him;
Beside the sea
Of Galilee
He set the nations free.
Verse 4
And sometimes trumpets from Sion ring out,
And tramping comes, and drumming;
“Thy kingdom come,” so we cry; and they shout,
“It comes!” and still ’tis coming.
Far, far ahead, to win us,
Yet with us, nay within us;
Till all shall see
That King is he,
The Love from Galilee!