Christians, awake, salute the happy morn facts for kids

"Christians, awake, salute the happy morn" is a well-known English Christmas song. It's a special kind of song called a Christmas hymn. The words were written by John Byrom. Most people sing it to a tune called "Yorkshire," created by John Wainwright. This hymn tells the story of Jesus' birth.

What is "Christians, awake" About?

This hymn tells the exciting story of the first Christmas. It describes how angels announced Jesus' birth. It also talks about the shepherds who visited the newborn baby. The song encourages everyone to think about God's amazing love. It reminds us to follow Jesus' example.

The Original Poem

A copy of the original poem

The words for the hymn came from a poem by John Byrom. He wrote it around 1745 to 1750. The original poem was much longer than the hymn we sing today. It had 48 lines in total. The poem was first published after Byrom passed away. This happened in a book called Poems, &c. in 1773.

How the Poem Became a Hymn

The poem was later shortened and changed. This made it easier to sing. The new, shorter version was put together with Wainwright's music. This first happened in a book published in 1766. The hymn then started to be used in churches. This began with a book called Selection of Psalms and Hymns in 1819.

Today, the hymn usually has six verses. Sometimes, one or two verses are left out. There are also a few different versions of some lines. But the main message always stays the same.

The Christmas Story in the Hymn

The hymn shares the Christmas story from the Bible. It talks about:

• The birth of Jesus
• The angels telling the shepherds the good news
• The shepherds going to see Jesus

The hymn helps us remember these important parts of Christmas.

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,
whereon the Saviour of the world was born;
rise to adore the mystery of love,
which hosts of angels chanted from above:
with them the joyful tidings first begun
of God incarnate and the Virgin's Son.

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
who heard the angelic herald's voice, 'Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth
to you and all the nations upon earth:
this day hath God fulfilled his promised word,
this day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.'

He spake; and straightway the celestial choir
in hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire;
the praises of redeeming love they sang,
and heaven's whole orb with alleluias rang:
God's highest glory was their anthem still,
peace upon earth, and unto men good will.

To Bethl'em straight the enlightened shepherds ran,
to see the wonder God had wrought for man,
and found, with Joseph and the blessèd Maid,
her Son, the Saviour, in a manger laid:
then to their flocks, still praising God, return,
and their glad hearts with holy rapture burn.

O may we keep and ponder in our mind
God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
trace we the babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
from his poor manger to his bitter cross;
tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,
till man's first heavenly state again takes place.

Then may we hope, the angelic hosts among,
to sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song:
he that was born upon this joyful day
around us all his glory shall display;
saved by his love, incessant we shall sing
eternal praise to heaven's almighty King.

The "Yorkshire" Tune

The music for "Christians, awake" is called "Yorkshire." It is sometimes also known as "Stockport." This tune was created by John Wainwright. People started singing the poem with this tune very early on. Some stories say it was first sung on Christmas Day in 1750.

How the Tune Became Popular

The "Yorkshire" melody was first printed in 1761. It was in a book by Caleb Ashworth. At first, it was used for a different song. But then, in 1766, Wainwright's own book was published. This book was the first to combine the "Yorkshire" tune with Byrom's poem.

Another person named Ralph Harrison also printed the tune in 1784. His book, Sacred Harmony, was very popular. This helped the "Yorkshire" tune become widely known. For a long time, the hymn was sung mostly outdoors. But in 1819, it finally started to be used in church services.

By the early 1900s, "Christians, awake" was in most hymn books. This included popular ones like Hymns Ancient and Modern and the English Hymnal. It is still a favorite Christmas hymn today.

Images for kids

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  The music for the "Yorkshire" hymn tune