Joy to the world,
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The Lord has come,
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Let earth receive her king!
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Let every heart prepare him room,
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And heaven and nature sing. (x3)
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We three kings of Orient are,
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Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
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Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
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Following yonder star.
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O star of wonder, star of night,
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Star of royal beauty bright,
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Westward leading, still proceeding,
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Guide us to thy perfect light.
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It came upon a midnight clear,
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That glorious song of old,
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From angels bending near the earth,
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To touch their harps of gold:
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"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,
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From heaven's all-gracious king!"
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The world in solemn stillness lay
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To hear the angels sing.
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What child is this, who laid to rest
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On Mary's lap is sleeping?
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Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
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While shepherds watch are keeping?
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This, this is Christ the king,
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Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
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Haste, haste to bring him laud,
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The Babe, the son of Mary.
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The first Noel, the angels did say,
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Was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay,
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In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
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On a cold winter's night that was so deep,
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Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
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Born is the king of Israel!
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O little town of Bethlehem,
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How still we see thee lie
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Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
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The silent stars go by.
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Yet in the dark streets shineth
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The everlasting light.
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The hopes and fears of all the years
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Are met in thee tonight.
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