THE LADDER OF CLOUD
There’sa beautiful ladder of fine-spun cloudThat stretches from earth to skyAnd up and down it the angels crowdWith calling and soft reply:—AmraelChildren of men, who only by sightKnow that the stars exist,There was one that shone o’er the world last nightThrough an aureole of mist.MishaelThey only saw it who had keptThe vigil of the seersWith inner sense; but ye who sleptKnew not the sign of the years.UrielThe spirit of life became a starAnd we the herald-host;And we sang as the Wise Men gazed afarAnd the Shepherds Heavenmost;HostJoy to the world! For lo, is bornThe Gift-Child! Echo onAnd on forever song of morn,Yet trembling into dawn!RefrainJoy to the pure in heart! For thouAlone dost know the worthAnd meaning of the Gift, who bowBefore the Virgin-birth.ChorusAll hail Madonna’s GiftThat shall the earth to Heaven uplift!All hail! Rejoice!
There’sa beautiful ladder of fine-spun cloudThat stretches from earth to skyAnd up and down it the angels crowdWith calling and soft reply:—AmraelChildren of men, who only by sightKnow that the stars exist,There was one that shone o’er the world last nightThrough an aureole of mist.MishaelThey only saw it who had keptThe vigil of the seersWith inner sense; but ye who sleptKnew not the sign of the years.UrielThe spirit of life became a starAnd we the herald-host;And we sang as the Wise Men gazed afarAnd the Shepherds Heavenmost;HostJoy to the world! For lo, is bornThe Gift-Child! Echo onAnd on forever song of morn,Yet trembling into dawn!RefrainJoy to the pure in heart! For thouAlone dost know the worthAnd meaning of the Gift, who bowBefore the Virgin-birth.ChorusAll hail Madonna’s GiftThat shall the earth to Heaven uplift!All hail! Rejoice!
There’sa beautiful ladder of fine-spun cloudThat stretches from earth to skyAnd up and down it the angels crowdWith calling and soft reply:—
There’sa beautiful ladder of fine-spun cloud
That stretches from earth to sky
And up and down it the angels crowd
With calling and soft reply:—
Amrael
Amrael
Children of men, who only by sightKnow that the stars exist,There was one that shone o’er the world last nightThrough an aureole of mist.
Children of men, who only by sight
Know that the stars exist,
There was one that shone o’er the world last night
Through an aureole of mist.
Mishael
Mishael
They only saw it who had keptThe vigil of the seersWith inner sense; but ye who sleptKnew not the sign of the years.
They only saw it who had kept
The vigil of the seers
With inner sense; but ye who slept
Knew not the sign of the years.
Uriel
Uriel
The spirit of life became a starAnd we the herald-host;And we sang as the Wise Men gazed afarAnd the Shepherds Heavenmost;
The spirit of life became a star
And we the herald-host;
And we sang as the Wise Men gazed afar
And the Shepherds Heavenmost;
Host
Host
Joy to the world! For lo, is bornThe Gift-Child! Echo onAnd on forever song of morn,Yet trembling into dawn!
Joy to the world! For lo, is born
The Gift-Child! Echo on
And on forever song of morn,
Yet trembling into dawn!
Refrain
Refrain
Joy to the pure in heart! For thouAlone dost know the worthAnd meaning of the Gift, who bowBefore the Virgin-birth.
Joy to the pure in heart! For thou
Alone dost know the worth
And meaning of the Gift, who bow
Before the Virgin-birth.
Chorus
Chorus
All hail Madonna’s GiftThat shall the earth to Heaven uplift!All hail! Rejoice!
All hail Madonna’s Gift
That shall the earth to Heaven uplift!
All hail! Rejoice!
What softening of angel-voiceAnd light and listening senseFell hush-like on the last “Rejoice,Madonna-reverence!”
What softening of angel-voiceAnd light and listening senseFell hush-like on the last “Rejoice,Madonna-reverence!”
What softening of angel-voiceAnd light and listening senseFell hush-like on the last “Rejoice,Madonna-reverence!”
What softening of angel-voice
And light and listening sense
Fell hush-like on the last “Rejoice,
Madonna-reverence!”
The pearly wings the host enshroud,The voices fade away,And the beautiful ladder of fine-spun cloudBecomes the Gate of the Day.
The pearly wings the host enshroud,The voices fade away,And the beautiful ladder of fine-spun cloudBecomes the Gate of the Day.
The pearly wings the host enshroud,The voices fade away,And the beautiful ladder of fine-spun cloudBecomes the Gate of the Day.
The pearly wings the host enshroud,
The voices fade away,
And the beautiful ladder of fine-spun cloud
Becomes the Gate of the Day.