As With Gladness Men of Old

This beautiful Christmas hymn by William Chatterdon Dix is set to the tune of “For the Beauty of the Earth,” one of the most recognizable hymns in all of Christendom.  It begins with the first verse in unison, adds a harmony part for the second, and concludes with a key change and a verse full of harmony.  Also available with the hymn text “For the Beauty of the Earth.”

Difficulty: Easy

Voicing: SATB, SAB, SSA, TTB, and Two-Part

Accompaniment: Piano

Lyrics:

As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; So, most gracious God, may we evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed, there to bend the knee before Him whom heav’n and earth adore; So, may we with willing feet ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare; so may we with holy joy, pure, and free from sin’s alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our Heav’nly King. All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our Heav’nly King.

All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our Heav’nly King.