Full Lyrics
See, now fall the length'ning shadows
through the fresh, cool ev’ning air
Woodwards over peaceful meadows
Joseph bends his steps with care.
Leads his patient beast of burden,
scarcely fans the gentle breeze.
'Tis the angel's pinions waving,
that the dreaming infant sees.
Mary, full of joy and sadness,
views her child in holy bliss,
and her heart sings songs of gladness
in that silent loneliness.
Now the busy glow worms labor
lights the path with flick'ring ray.
They will guide the heav'nly mother
in the dark and desert way;
and the grass feels sweet emotion,
touched but by her garments hem,
and the woods no longer whisper;
silenced now the prattling stream,
that no sound the flight discover!
And the infant raised his hand
and for all the love they bore him,
bless'd the still and lonely land.
That the earth its trees and flowers,
evermore in ev’ry clime,
nightly must of heav'n be dreaming!
O the holy blessed time!
The woods their whispers cease,
that no sound the flight discover,
O the holy blessed time!
