Christians Awake Salute The Happy Morn
Verse 1
CHRISTIANS, awake, salute the happy morn, Whereon the Saviour of the world was born; Rise to adore the mystery of love, Which hosts of angels chanted from above; With them the joyful tidings first begun Of God incarnate and the Virgin’s Son.
Verse 2
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, Who heard the angelic herald’s voice: Behold, I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s birth To you and all the nations upon earth; This day hath God fulfilled His promised word, This day is born a Saviour, Christ the lord.
Verse 3
He spake; and straightway the celestial choir In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire. The praises of redeeming love they sang, And heaven’s whole orb with hallelujahs rang; God’s highest glory was their anthem still, Peace upon earth, and unto men good-will.
Verse 4
To Bethlehem straight the enlightened shepherds ran, To see the wonder God had wrought for man : Then to their flocks, still praising God, return, And their glad hearts with holy Rapture burn; Amazed, the wondrous tidings they proclaim, The first apostles of His infant fame.
Verse 5
O may we keep and pounder in our mind God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind; Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss, From the poor manger to the bitter Cross: Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace, Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place.
Verse 6
Then may we hope, the angelic hosts among, To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song; He that was born upon this joyful day Around us all His glory shall display; Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing Eternal praise to heaven’s almighty King.
Background: Christians Awake Salute The Happy Morn
The Basics * **Title:** "Christians Awake, Salute the Happy Morn" (Original: "A Christmas Hymn") * **Author (Words):** John Byrom (1692-1763) * **Date Written:** 1749 * **Common Tune:** "Liverpool" (also known as "Yorkshire Anthem" or "Stockport")
The Author: John Byrom * **More Than a Hymn Writer:** John Byrom was a highly intelligent and multi-talented individual from Manchester, England. * **Educated:** He studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. * **Inventor:** He is famous for inventing a system of shorthand known as "Byrom's Shorthand," which was widely used for many years. * **Poet and Mystic:** He was also a poet, a wit, and had interests in mysticism and religious philosophy. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society.
The Story Behind It 1. **For His Daughter:** The most popular story about its origin is that Byrom wrote the hymn for his daughter, Dorothy (nicknamed "Dolly"), for Christmas morning in 1749. She had apparently asked her father for a new Christmas carol. 2. **A Private Gift:** It wasn't originally intended for public publication. It was a personal gift, recited or sung within the family. 3. **Posthumous Publication:** The hymn was first published only after Byrom's death, appearing in his collected "Poems" in 1773. 4. **Northern Popularity:** It quickly gained popularity, especially in his native Lancashire and other parts of Northern England, where it became a Christmas staple.
The Music (The Tune) * **"Liverpool" or "Yorkshire Anthem":** The words are almost universally sung to the tune known as "Liverpool." This melody is often also referred to as "Yorkshire Anthem" or "Stockport." * **Folk Origins:** The exact composer of the "Liverpool" tune is unknown, suggesting it may have roots in traditional folk carols or regional melodies that were popular at the time. * **Arrangement:** While sometimes attributed to James L. Stimpson, he is more accurately credited with arranging or popularizing an existing melody rather than composing it from scratch. The tune's rousing, anthemic quality perfectly complements Byrom's celebratory words.
Legacy and Popularity "Christians Awake, Salute the Happy Morn" remains one of the most beloved and enduring English Christmas carols. Its beautiful imagery, theological depth, and powerful melody ensure its place in Christmas services and caroling traditions, particularly in the United Kingdom, centuries after it was first penned.
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