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Softly the Night

[ Roud 1222 ; Mudcat 42376 ; words Edward Abiel Washburn (1819-1881)]

Bob and John Copper sang Softly the Night in 1971 on their Leader box set A Song for Every Season. The Copper Family also sang it on their 2007 CD Coppers at Christmas.

Andy Turner sang Softly the Night as the 15 December 2024 entry of his project A Folk Song a Week.

Lyrics

The Copper Family sing Softly the Night

Softly the night is sleeping on Bethlehem’s peaceful hill,
Silent the shepherds watching, their gentle flocks are still,
But hark the wond’rous music falls from the opening sky,
Valley and cliff re-echo, glory to God on high.
Glory to God, it rings again, peace on the earth, goodwill to men.

Come with the gladsome shepherds quick hastening from the fold,
Come with the wise men bringing incense and myrrh and gold.
Come to him poor and lowly all round the cradle throng,
Come with your hearts of sunshine and sing the Angel’s song.
Glory to God, tell out again, peace on the earth, goodwill to men.

Wave ye, the wreath unfading the fir tree and the pine,
Green from the snows of winter to deck the holy shrine,
Bring ye, the happy children for this is Christmas morn
Jesus the sinless infant, Jesus the lord is born.
Glory to God, to God again, peace on the earth, goodwill to men.