The Sussex Carol - Traditional

On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring;
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring:
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King's birth.

Then why should men on earth be so sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad,
Then why should men on earth be so sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad,
When from our sin He set us free,
All for to gain our liberty?

When sin departs before His grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
When sin departs before His grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
Angels and men with joy may sing,
All for to see the new-born King.

All out of darkness we have light,
Which made the angels sing this night;
All out of darkness we have light,
Which made the angels sing this night:
'Glory to God and peace to men,
Now and forevermore, Amen.'

The Sussex Carol lyrics were collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Cecil Sharp in Sussex. The song emphasizes the joy and peace that the Nativity brings with the refrain Life and health and gladness being restored to mankind. It is characterized by its bright lilting melody and its call for all Christians to rejoice and sing. By singing the Sussex Carol lyrics the faithful celebrate the shining light of Christ that dispels the darkness of sin fostering a sense of communal gratitude and the realization that the birth of Jesus is a transformative event for the entire world.