| Chester | Kittery | Hopkinton |
| Judea | Shiloh | Boston |
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Boston: This piece first appeared in The Singing Master's Assistant in 1778 and was simple enough to be widely sung throughout the colonies. It was also utilized to teach the Christmas story. It takes on some significance as the only song bearing the name of the great city of Boston where this music was birthed. |
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1. Me thinks I see a Heav'nly host Of Angels on the wing Me thinks I hear their cheerful notes So merrily they sing. Let all your fears be banish'd hence, Glad tidings we proclaim For there's a Saviour born today And Jesus is his name. |
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2. Shepherds rejoice, lift up your Eyes, and send your Fears away; News from the Region of the Skies, Salvation's born today. Jesus, the God whom Angels fear, comes down to dwell with you Today He makes his Entrance here, but not as Monarchs do. |
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3. No Gold, nor purple Swadling Bands, nor royal shining Things, A Manger for his Cradle stands, and holds the King of Kings, Go, Shepherds, where the Infant lies and see his humble Throne; With Tears of joy in all your Eyes, go, Shepherds, kiss the Son. |
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4. Thus Gabriel sang, and strait around the heavenly Armies throng, they tune their Harps to lofty Sound, and thus conclude the Song; "Glory to God that reigns above, let Peace surround the Earth: Mortals shall know their Maker's Love, at their Redeemer's Birth." |
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Chester: One of the most famous and inspiring pieces of the era based on one of George Whitefield's sermons, this song became the unofficial National Anthem of the Revolutionary War. (The original grammar and punctuation are retained) |
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1. Let tyrants shake their iron rod, And slav'ry clank her galling chains, We fear them not, we trust in God, New England's God forever reigns. |
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2. When God inspir'd us for the fight, Their ranks were broke, their lines were forc'd, Their ships were shattered in our sight, Or swiftly driven from our Coast. |
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3. The Foe comes on with haughty Stride; Our troops advance with martial noise, Their Vet'rans flee before our Youth And Gen'rals yield to beardless Boys. |
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4. What grateful Off'ring shall we bring? What shall we render to the Lord? Loud hallelujahs let us Sing, And praise his name on ev'ry Chord. |
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A truly remarkable piece in a rhythmic style associated only with Billings. There was no historical precedent for a piece such as this and it established Billings as the foremost musical interpreter of sacred texts in his day. |
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1. Lo! He cometh, countless trumpets Blow before the bloody sign! Midst ten thousand Saints and Angels, See the Crucified shine. Hallelujah! Welcome bleeding Lamb! |
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2. Now his merits by the Harpers Through the 'eternal deeps resounds Now resplendent shine his nail prints Every eye shall see his wounds. They who pierced him Shall at his appearing wail. |
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3. Every island, sea and mountain Heav'n and earth shall flee away All who hate him must ashamed, Hear the trump proclaim his day. Come to judgement! Stand before the Son of Man! |
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4. All who love him view his Glory, Shining in his bruised Face: His dear Person on the Rainbow, Now his People's Heads shall raise: Happy Mourners! Now on Clouds He comes! He comes! |
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5. Now redemption, long expected See, in solemn pomp, appear: All his people, once despised, Now shall meet Him in the air: Hallelujah! Now the promised Kingdom's come! |
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6. View Him smiling, now determined Every Evil to destroy! All the Nations now shall sing him Songs of everlasting Joy! O come quickly! Hallelujah! come Lord, come! |
| Judea: This song, published in The New England Psalm Singer in 1770, was named for the geographic area in Israel where Jesus, the Messiah, was born. As with other songs utilized for teaching, this one incorporates the Christmas story. The grammar and punctuation are exactly as they originally appeared (including the "&c.") |
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1. A Virgin unspotted the Prophet foretold, Should bring forth a Saviour which now we behold To be our Redeemer from Death, Hell and Sin, Which Adam's transgression involved us in. Then let us be merry, put Sorrow away, Our Saviour, Christ Jesus, was born on this day. |
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2. Through Bethlehem City, in Jury it was, That Joseph and Mary together did pass; And for to be taxed when thither they came, Since Caesar Augustus commanded the same. Then let us be Merry, &c. |
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3. But Mary's full Time being come as we find, She brought forth her First-born to save all Mankind: The Inn being full, for this heav'nly Guest, No Place there was found where to lay him to rest. Then let us be Merry, &c. |
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4. But Mary, blest Mary, so meek and so mild, Soon wrapt up in Swadlings this heav'nly Child: Contented she laid him where Oxen do feed; The great God of Nature approv'd of the Deed. Then let us be Merry, &c. |
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5. To teach us Humility all this was done, Then learn we from hence haughty pride for to shun: A Manger's his Cradle, who came from above, The great God of Mercy, of Peace, and of Love. Then let us be Merry, &c. |
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6. Then presently after the Shepherds did spy, Vast numbers of Angels to stand in the Sky; So merrily talking, so sweet they did sing, "All Glory and Praise to our heav'nly King." Then let us be Merry, &c. |
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Kittery: A genuine Billings setting of the Sternhold & Hopkins metrical version of The Lord’s Prayer. This piece was so radical it was dubbed one of Hopkins’ Jigs and was banned from use in some of the more conservative churches. |
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1. Our Father, who in Heaven art, All hallowed be thy name; Thy Kingdom come; thy Will be done, Throughout this earthly frame. |
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2. Lord, let thy bounty day by day Our daily food supply; As cheerfully as ‘tis by those Who dwell with Thee on high; |
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3. As we forgive our Enemies, Thy pardon, Lord, we crave; Into Temptation lead us not, But us from Evil save. |
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4. For Kingdom, Pow’r, and Glory all Belong, O Lord, to Thee; Thine from Eternity they were, And Thine shall ever be. |
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Shiloh: This Old Testament Hebrew word used by Isaiah the prophet means "Messiah" and foretells the birth of Jesus 600 years before the event. As was customary in New England Psalm Singing, songs with similar words were given a variety of musical treatments. This song first appeared in The Suffolk Harmony in 1786. |
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1. Me thinks I see an Heav'nly Host of angels on the wing; me thinks I hear their cheerful notes, so merrily they sing. |
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2. Let all your fears be banished hence, glad tidings I proclaim; for there is a Saviour born today and Jesus is his name. Lay down your crooks and quit your flocks, to Bethlehem repair; and let your wandering steps be squared By yonder shining star. |
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3. Then learn from hence, ye rural swains, the meekness of your God, who left the boundless realms of joy, to ransom you with blood. The master of the Inn refused A more commodious place; Ungen'rous soul of savage mould And destitute of grace. |
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4. Exult ye oxen, low for joy, ye tenants of the stall; Pay your obeisance; on your knees unanimously fall. The Royal Guest you entertain is not of common birth, But second in the Great I Am, The God of Heav'n and earth. |
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5. Then suddenly a Heav'nly Host around the shepherds throng, exulting in the Three-fold God, and thus addressed their song. |