JESUS CHRIST >> Birth
SDAH 120
There’s a song in the air!
There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer
And a baby’s low cry!
This hymn appears in:
Get the hymn sheet in other keys here
For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: There’s a Song in the Air
Written in 1872 by Josiah Gilbert Holland, this Christmas poem first appeared in The Marble Prophecy and Other Poems. Though Holland began as a physician, he found his true calling in writing—later founding Scribner’s Magazine and penning works that stirred both heart and soul.
The melody, CHRISTMAS SONG, came decades later in 1904, when Karl Pomeroy Harrington composed it while on summer holiday in New Hampshire. A Latin professor and devoted church musician, Harrington’s tune gently cradles the poem’s wonder and joy.
As we sing, may the same awe that stirred the skies on that holy night stir our hearts with praise today.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
These words were written in 1872 and appeared in Holland’s The Marble Prophecy and Other Poems. Josiah Gilbert Holland was born July 24, 18 19, in Belchertown, Massachusetts. He prepared for a career
medicine, and practiced for a short time in Springfield, Massachusetts. Changing to literary pursuits, he joined the Springfield Republican as author of the “Timothy Titcomb” letters, and helped to start Scribner’s Magazine, serving as its editor for 11 years until his death in New York, October 21, 1881. His Complete Poetical Writings was published in 1879.
The tune CHRISTMAS SONG was composed by Karl Pomeroy Harrington during a vacation at his summer cottage in New Hampshire in July 1904. It was included with this text in the 1905 Methodist Hymnal, for which he served as musical editor with Peter C. Lutkin (see ST)AH 669). Born June 13, 1861, in Somersworth, New Hampshire, Harrington was educated at Wesleyan University (B.A., 1882; M.A., 1885), and became a well-known teacher of Latin, filling posts at Wilbraham Academy, Wesleyan University, University of North Carolina, and the University of Maine. He usually served as organist in churches nearby, and in turn was director of the Festival Chorus, Bangor, Maine; founder and director of the Chapel Hill Choral Society, North Carolina; and director of the Middlesex Musical Association. He was a member of the committee and musical editor for the 1935 Methodist Hymnal, edited six hymn and song collections, and wrote the book Education in Church Music, 1931. He wrote many unpublished songs, anthems, and responses. He died at Berkeley, California, November 14, 1953.
Stanza:
1 – Matthew 2:2
Luke 2:7
2 – Luke 2:10
4 – Luke 2:11
Text
1
There’s a song in the air!
There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer
And a baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
2
There’s a tumult of joy
O’er the wonderful birth,
For the virgin’s sweet boy
Is the Lord of the earth.
Aye! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
3
In the light of that star
Lie the ages impearled;
And that song from afar
Has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame and the beautiful sing
In the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!
4
We rejoice in the light,
And we echo the song
That comes down through the night
From the heavenly throng.
Aye! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,
And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Matt 2:2; Luke 2:7 (b) Luke 2:10 (d) Luke 2:11
Author
Josiah G. Holland (1819-181)
Year Published
1872
Hymn Tune
CHRISTMAS SONG
Metrical Number
6.6.6.6.12.12.
Composer
Karl P. Harrington (1861-1953)
Year Composed
1904
Theme
BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST
