Sweet Chiming Bells
===================
w: Charles Wesley (verses); James Cheyne (chorus)
m: James Cheyne

[Verse 1]
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.

[Chorus]
Sweet chiming bells, O how they ring
To welcome Christ, the newborn King;
Sweet chiming bells, O how they ring
To welcome Christ, the King.

[Verse 2]
All thy people's consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now thy gracious Kingdom bring.

[Chorus]

[Verse 4]
By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne.

[Chorus]

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{Another Version}

Sweet Chiming Bells
===================
m: From The Joy of Christmas:Words and Music of Traditional and Local Carols, 1981;
w: Edited and adapted from "A Song for Christmas Eve" by Clara Broughton Conant;
Publ. in Kriss Kringle Recitations, dialogs and Songs for Christmas,
Compiled by Hal J. Weigle, 1914


[Verse 1]
O blessed night! A star shines bright,
though seen through falling snow;
The star of love lit from above
to set to set the world aglow.

[Chorus]
Sweet bells, sweet chiming Christmas bells;
Sweet bells, sweet chiming Christmas bells;
They cheer us on our merry way, Sweet chiming bells;
They cheer us on our merry way, Sweet chiming bells.

[Verse 2]
Child voices sweet once more repeat
the angels' glorious strain;
Our gray old Earth, in holy mirth,
becomes a child again.

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
Chime sweetly on, ye Christmas bells,
while happy voices sing;
Shine out, O star, from heaven afar
and guide us to our King.

[Chorus]

[Verse 4]
To hail the little newborn King,
a few poor shepherds came;
Although with wonder, joy and love
the heavens were aflame.

[Chorus]

[Verse 5]
The wise men came upon their way,
Led by that heavenly light;
O, star of love, shine from above
and make our pathway bright.

[Chorus]

[Verse 6]
The loving heart, the prayer of faith
are sweeter gifts to bring;
Shine out, O star, from heaven afar
and guide us to our King.