Verse 1
The race that long in darkness pined
Have seen a glorious Light;
The people dwell in day, who dwelt
In death’s surrounding night.
Verse 2
To hail Thy rise, Thou better Sun,
The gathering nations come,
Joyous as when the reapers bear
The harvest-treasures home.
Verse 3
For Thou our burden hast removed,
And quelled the oppressor’s sway,
Quick as the slaughtered squadrons fell
In Midian’s evil day.
Verse 4
To us a Child of Hope is born,
To us a Son is given;
Him shall the tribes of earth obey,
Him all the hosts of heaven.
Verse 5
His Name shall be the Prince of Peace,
For evermore adored,
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
The great and mighty Lord.
Verse 6
His power increasing still shall spread,
His reign no end shall know:
Justice shall guard His throne above,
And peace abound below.
John Morison, “The Race That Long in Darkness Pined”