Eighty years ago my grandfather, Charles Hercules Burwell, wrote this Christmas song. My mother said that, in November 1941, she spent the evening before her wedding getting her dad’s copy ready for the printer. So Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and “may hearts rejoice in every clime.”
“Christmas”
It’s Christmas time, and giving time,
May hearts rejoice in every clime,
Reminded of the Saviour’s birth –
God’s gift of gifts to all the earth.
Back to that ancient Christmas morn,
When Christ in Bethlehem was born,
Low in a manger He was laid,
The Son of God, a new-born babe.His star did lead the wise men near,
They saw Him, gave Him gifts so dear;
Rejoicing all with one accord,
Did magnify and praise the Lord.
So, if we’re wise to His blest name,
We need not keep this day in vain.
Let Christ be all our theme of joy
In everything we now employ.His mission here on earth was this –
To save us from the serpent’s hiss.
He bled and died for you and me,
And rose again to set us free.
May all who trust our risen Lord
Rejoice in Him and His own word;
And if we know the Saviour’s worth,
In truth we’ll celebrate His birth.Words and Music by C. H. Burwell
Tillsonburg, Ont., Canada
Today is the 111th anniversary of my grandparents’ wedding. Charles H. Burwell and Minnie May Lymburner were married in Tillsonburg on December 14, 1910.
Here is more on Grandpa’s poetry and one of his books of poems in pdf format. Tap the sheet of music to enlarge it for printing. Should this Christmas song inspire you to play more, have a look at Easy Christmas Hymns with three arrangements each of six of the standards we listen to.
