In 1848, American composer Lowell Mason adapted themes from Handel’s “Messiah” to create the triumphant tune we can’t help but sing along to. The marriage of Watts’ theology and Mason’s melody turned “Joy to the World” into the most published Christmas hymn in North America.
Joy To The World
Info:
| Words: | Isaac Watts |
|---|---|
| Music: | George Handel |
| Key: | C to D major |
| Time Sig: | 4/4 |
| Tempo: | 100 | up tempo |
| Tune: | ANTIOCH |
| Meter: | C.M. |
| CCLI #: | 5253294 |
| Verse: | Psalm 98:4,9 |
verse 1
Joy to the world the Lord is come Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing And heaven and heaven and nature sing
verse 2
Joy to the world the Savior reigns Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods rocks hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy Repeat repeat the sounding joy
verse 3
No more let sin and sorrow grow Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found Far as far as the curse is found
verse 4
He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love And wonders wonders of His love
Joy to the world the Lord is come Let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing And heaven and nature sing And heaven and heaven and nature sing Joy to the world the Savior reigns Let men their songs employ While fields and floods rocks hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat repeat the sounding joy No more let sin and sorrow grow Nor thorns infest the ground He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found Far as the curse is found Far as far as the curse is found He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders wonders of His love Isaac Watts George Frederick Handel Lowell Mason