Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices in the Song (R J Pratt)

Subject: Download: Raise Your Voices in the Song (J Pratt)
From: Genie
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 08:27 PM

This song is now a track from the new Mudcat CD "This Is Us: Until The Dark Time Ends" -
but the track on the CD got mangled somehow (crescendo and dimenuendo portions reversed from the file that was sent in), so the audio on the CD doesn't fit the meaning or feel of the lyrics.

If you would like to hear the audio track as it was supposed to be on that CD, you can download it here, from MediaFire:

Original AIFF file: "Raise Your Voices In The Song (Of Peace On Earth)"


Smaller, mp3 file of same song: "Raise Your Voices In The Song (Of Peace On Earth)"

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices in the Song (R J Pratt)
From: Genie
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 12:58 PM

And here is a much better recording of the song (done in Amos's home recording studio, with tambourine and chimes tracks added via Garage Band):

Raise Your Voices In The Song - AIFF file submitted for Mudcat CD

This song is on the new Mudcat CD "This Is Us: Until The Dark Time Ends," but at least on the first 'pressing' of CDs, the volume changes on the audio track somehow got distorted, so if you have that CD, I suggest downloading the original audio file, above, to replace that track.

Subject: Lyr Add: RAISE YOUR VOICES IN THE SONG (R J Pratt)
From: Genie
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 10:23 AM

Latest revision of the lyrics (as of 4-3-2011):

Raise Your Voices In The Song
words & music by R. Jeanene Pratt ©1993
Revised Dec. 1999, Nov. 2002

Many, many years ago, in a time of strife and woe,
In a little village they call Bethlehem,
God sent down a legacy, precious gift for you and me,
Holy baby born to be our savior and friend.

    Angel voices rang across the winter sky
    Telling all the world the story of the holy birth.
    Joyous! Joyous! What a celebration!
    Angel voices sang the song of Peace On Earth!

Shepherds tending flocks, they say, in fields not far away,
Heard music floating through the skies above.
From their labors long they stopped to listen to the song,
Then went to Bethlehem to show their love.

    They stopped. They hushed. They listened while the angels sang,
    Telling all the world the story of the holy birth.
    Then joyous! Joyous! They joined the celebration,
    Raised their voices in the song of Peace On Earth!

Centuries have gone their way. Do the people of today
Know the deeper meaning of this season of the year?
Many times the neon lights hide that ancient star from sight
And the song of peace can be so hard to hear.

    So stop! Hush! Listen while the angels sing
    Telling all the world the story of the holy birth.
    Then joyous! Joyous! Join the celebration,
    Raise your voices in the song of Peace On Earth!

The angels' song is still alive; in faith and love it can survive,
And it gives our hearts a reason to rejoice.
You may not hear it in the air, but if you pause or say a prayer *
You will hear it echo in that still, small voice.

    So stop! Hush! Listen while the angels sing
    Telling all the world the story of the holy birth.
    Then joyous! Joyous! Join the celebration,
    Raise your voices in the song of Peace On Earth!


*My sister, while we were recording the song, changed that line to " ... if you pause TO say a prayer."

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices in the Song (Christ
From: Genie
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 01:30 PM

Wonderful, leeneia. Songs are meant to 'leave the nest' and I'm happy that this one found its way to your Three Kings party.

Happy Epiphany. (Tomorrow we'll celebrate it in church, though the offical date is Jan. 6.)

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices in the Song (Christmas)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 10:15 AM

Yesterday I went to a friend's house, where we played music for Epiphany. This is an annual tradition, which we call The Three Kings party.

I had typed up your song and explained to the group where it came from. They loved it! We did all the verses three times in a row.

Thanks very much for sharing it.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: RAISE YOUR VOICES IN THE SONG
From: Genie
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 02:00 PM

Thanks, leeneia.

FWIW, my sister Tammy likes my original lyrics better than the changes -- for the most part, anyway. For that reason and in order not to have to make her learn too many lyric changes when we recorded the song, this is the way we sang it. And with the possible exception of one line, I consider this to be the official version of the lyrics:


RAISE YOUR VOICES IN THE SONG (words & music by R. Jeanene Pratt)
4/4 time

Ma(Am)ny, many years ago, (Dm) in a time of strife and woe,
(E)In a little vi(E7)llage they call Be(Am)thleh(E)em,
G(Am)od sent down a legacy, (Dm) precious gift for you and me,
(E)Holy baby b(E7)orn to be our s(Am)avi(E)or and fri(Am)end.*

An(Am)gel voices ra(E)ng across the winter sky
(Am)Telling all the wo(Dm)rld the story o(E)f the holy bi(E7)rth!
Jo(Am)yous! Joyous! W(E)hat a celeb(E7)ration!
A(Am)ngel voices sa(Dm)ng the song of Pe(E)ace O(E7)n Ea(Am)rth!

Sh(Am)epherds toiling, so they say, (Dm) in fields not far away
(E)Heard music fl(E7)oating through the sk(Am)ies ab(E)ove.
(Am)From their labors long they st(Dm)opped to listen to the song,
(E)Then went to Be(E7)thlehem to sh(Am)ow th(E)eir lo(Am)ve.

They st(Am)opped, they hushed, they li(E)stened while the angels sang,
(Am)Telling them the gr(Dm)eatest story th(E)ey had ever he(E7)ard.**
Then j(Am)oyous! Joyous! They jo(E)ined the celebr(E7)ation,
Ra(Am)ised their voices i(Dm)n the song of "Pe(E)ace o(E7)n ea(Am)rth!

Ce(Am)nturies have gone their way. (Dm) Do the people of today
Kn(E)ow the deeper me(E7)aning of this se(Am)ason of the ye(E)ar?
M(Am)any times the neon lights h(Dm)ide the Christmas star from sight,
(E)And the song of pe(E7)ace can be so h(Am)ard t(E)o he(Am)ar.

So st(Am)op! Hu(Am)sh! L(E)isten while the angels sing.
(Am)Telling all the wo(Dm)rld the story o(E)f the holy bi(E7)rth,
Then, j(Am)oyous! Joyous! Come, jo(E)in the celebr(E7)ation,
Ra(Am)ise Your Voices I(Dm)n The Song of "Pe(E)ace n(E7)n ea(Am)rth!

Th'a(Am)ngels' song is still alive. In fa(Dm)ith and love it can survive,
(E)And it gives our he(E7)arts a reason t(Am)o rejo(E)ice.
You m(Am)ay not hear it in the air, but i(Dm)f you pause or say a prayer
(E)You will hear it e(E7)cho in that st(Am)ill, sm(E)all vo(Am)ice.

So st(Am)op! Hu(Am)sh! L(E)isten while the angels sing
(Am)Telling all the wo(Dm)rld the story o(E)f the holy bi(E7)rth!
Then, j(Am)oyous! Joyous! Come, jo(E)in the celebr(E7)ation,
Ra(Am)ise Your Voices I(Dm)n The Song of "Pe(E)ace n(E7)n ea(Am)rth!

Repeat last chorus, a cappella, softly on the first 2 lines, then fortissimo, with guitar on the last two lines.

©1993, 1999, 2002, 2003 R. Jeanene Pratt
[e-mail]


*Tam prefers "Holy baby born to bring us life without end." I kind of prefer "Holy baby born to be our savior and friend." It really doesn't matter that much.

**In the second chorus, I kind of like "Telling them the greatest story they had ever heard." or "Telling them the greatest news that they had ever heard." My sis says it's better to keep all the lines of the chorus the same throughout the song (except, obviously) for the first line of the first chorus) so that it's easier for people to sing along with. She's probably right. : )
So if I do the song as a solo I'll probably sing it as above, but for sing-alongs, etc., I'd probably keep the chorus the same for the last 3 verses.

And here is the same video as the one I posted last, but just the two of us sitting in front of the webcam, with no cropping of the video portion.

Tam & Genie full screen - large video mp4 file of Raise Your Voices

It also may be better quality since it's a larger file?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices in the Song (Christmas)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 10:11 AM

Thanks so much for posting your song and the tune. I like it very much!

Subject: Video: Raise Your Voices in the Song (Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 28 Dec 09 - 09:39 PM

Finally!
After singing this song for years as a duet with my sis, we finally got a decent recording of the song the way it's supposed to sound - with harmony.
We even got a fairly decent video.

This is not a professional recording, just the two of us sitting in the living room with my MacBook a few feet away - no mics or amps, no tech tools to tweak the sound (except that I overdubbed a little more harmony in a couple of spots) - and using iMovie to make the video.

If you have already heard this song (the MIDI or a solo recording) I hope you will give a listen to the YouTube video of the duet. It shows how the song is supposed to sound, with at least 2-part harmony.

Tam and Genie: Raise Your Voices - mp4.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices in the Song (Christ
From: Genie
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 08:45 AM

Speaking of the Mudcat Songbook, has anyone taken over for Aine in dealing with it? Anyone adding new songs to it as they come to our attention?

Genie

Subject: Raise Your Voices In The Song (Of Peace On Earth)
From: Genie
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 02:22 PM

As with the song "Singin' With The Big Choir," I finally got this one posted at YouTube. A little late for this Christmas (unless you're a Presbyterian or something), but oh, well ...

If anyone would like to hear how the song actually sounds, check this out:

Raise Your Voices In The Song (Of Peace On Earth)

I hope sometime in the not-too-distant future to get a decent video of this song with my sister singing harmony. But I know better than to hold my breath. ;D

The audio on this live performance video isn't ideal, but it's clear enough to let you hear the melody and most of the words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 04 Dec 02 - 03:48 PM

Aine, I just discovered that this song is already in the Mudcat Songbook. I had not been able to find it, because I was looking under "Songs Of Inspiration," instead of the general "Folk Songs" Category.

Would it not fit better under "Songs Of Inspiration?" Or are there any plans to have a different category for "Christmas Songs" or "Holiday Songs" or something like that?

Anyway, thanks for including it!

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 02:06 PM

I did finally get the kinks out of the MIDI file that has the melody on guitar and the harmony on flute, and WITHOUT skips! I will send it to MMario today and at some point it will replace the current MIDI.

(I can also email it to anyone who asks.)

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: GUEST,Tammy
Date: 29 Nov 02 - 04:28 PM

I'm having trouble with the Mudcat MIDI, too. And I don't hear anything but what sound like simulated woodwinds.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Áine
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 09:48 AM

Thanks, Genie!! I've saved your 'embedded' post to my PC, and I'll get it into the Songbook ASARP -- the good Lord willin' and the crick in my back don't rise up '-)

All the best, Áine

(P.S. And thanks for having the patience of Job, darlin'!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 24 Nov 02 - 01:59 PM

Re the "pretty good MIDI" made with Finale NotePad Plus, I need to partially retract that.

Finale NotePad Plus does make MIDIs, but they don't play as smoothly as the sound from playing the sheet music of the same file!
At least, that's my experience with two different sheet music/MIDI files I made of the same song. When I play back the sheet music, it sounds pretty much right (few glitches, and very minor). When I save the file as a MIDI and play the MIDI back, it seems to skip and trip over its own 'feet,' in places -- especially when moving from one page of sheet music to the next.

So, for now, the MIDI here at Mudcat (see link above) is correct re tempo, harmonies, etc. --- except for the tripping, skipping, and stumbling when the virtual page is being turned!

In that MIDI, the guitar has the melody and the flute is harmony. The percussion block is supposed to represent a guitar slap or tap.

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christm
From: Genie
Date: 24 Nov 02 - 03:29 AM

Just for Aine, who requested I put the lyrics and chords together with the chords embedded, here they are. This is the version of the lyrics that I used for the MIDI that will soon take its place as the final verson in the Mudcat MIDI section. (Give Leo a few days to post it. He's already spent a lot of time helping me with the !*#@!* MIDI.)

RAISE YOUR VOICES IN THE SONG (words & music by R. Jeanene Pratt)
4/4 time

Ma(Am)ny, many years ago, (Dm) in a time of strife and woe,
(E)In a little vi(E7)llage they call Be(Am)thleh(E)em,
G(Am)od sent down a legacy, (Dm) precious gift for you and me,
(E)Holy baby b(E7)orn to be our s(Am)avi(E)or and fri(Am)end.

An(Am)gel voices ra(E)ng across the winter sky
(Am)Telling all the wo(Dm)rld the story o(E)f the holy bi(E7)rth!
Jo(Am)yous! Joyous! W(E)hat a celeb(E7)ration!
A(Am)ngel voices sa(Dm)ng the song of Pe(E)ace O(E7)n Ea(Am)rth!

Sh(Am)epherds toiling, so they say, (Dm)in the fields not far away,
(E)Heard music fl(e7)oating through the sk(Am)ies ab(E)ove.
(Am)From their labors long they st(Dm)opped to listen to the song,
(E)Then went to Be(E7)thlehem to sh(Am)ow th(E)eir lo(Am)ve.

They st(Am)opped, they hushed, they li(E)stened while the angels sang,
(Am)Telling them the gr(Dm)eatest story th(E)ey had ever he(E7)ard.
Then j(Am)oyous! Joyous! They jo(E)ined the celebr(E7)ation,
Ra(Am)ised their voices i(Dm)n the song of "Pe(E)ace o(E7)n ea(Am)rth!

Ce(Am)nturies have passed away. (Dm) Do the people of today
Kn(E)ow the deeper me(E7)aning of this se(Am)ason of the ye(E)ar?
M(Am)any times the neon lights h(Dm)ide that ancient star from sight,
(E)And the song of pe(E7)ace can be so h(Am)ard t(E)o he(Am)ar.

So st(Am)op! Hu(Am)sh! L(E)isten while the angels sing.
(Am)Open up your he(Dm)art and soul to H(E)eaven's healing wo(E7)rds,
Then, j(Am)oyous! Joyous! Come, jo(E)in the celebr(E7)ation,
Ra(Am)ise Your Voices I(Dm)n The Song of "Pe(E)ace n(E7)n ea(Am)rth!

The a(Am)ngelsÕ song is still alive. In fa(Dm)ith and love it can survive,
(E)And it gives our he(E7)arts a reason t(Am)o rejo(E)ice.
You m(Am)ay not hear it in the air, but i(Dm)f you pause or say a prayer
(E)You will hear it e(E7)cho in that st(Am)ill, sm(E)all vo(Am)ice.

So st(Am)op! Hu(Am)sh! L(E)isten while the angels sing
(Am)Telling all the wo(Dm)rld the story o(E)f the holy bi(E7)rth!
Then, j(Am)oyous! Joyous! Come, jo(E)in the celebr(E7)ation,
Ra(Am)ise Your Voices I(Dm)n The Song of "Pe(E)ace n(E7)n ea(Am)rth!

Repeat last chorus, a cappella, softly on the first 2 lines, then fortissimo, with guitar on the last two lines.

©1993, 1999, 2002 R. Jeanene Pratt
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 12:19 PM

Yay!

Upgrades are fun, aren't they?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christm
From: Genie
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 12:06 PM

Finally!

I have a pretty good quality MIDI now that I made with Finale NotePad Plus.

I can email it to anyone who is interested, and there will be a link to it here as soon as we get it transmitted properly to Mudcatdom.
 

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 05:15 PM

Finally figured out what I gotta do to write sheet music with harmony using Finale Notepad. I had to get out the keyboard and get the piano notes down right for the harmony and then plug them into the sheet music with the mouse. (Finale is cumbersome when you're trying to figure out the notation while doing the sheet music.)

Anyway, I now have complete and accurate sheet music for "Raise Your Voices In The Song," including the soprano harmony. The melody is carried by the alto line. Even the timing (phrasing) of the melody to fit the lyrics is pretty close to accurate (given the limitations of Notepad).

Haruo, I just emailed it to you. I hope you can open it.

I also emailed it to you, MMario. I hope the corrected MIDI will soon be in the Mudcat MIDI section. (And thanks for your hard work. You're just wonderful!)

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 04:21 AM

MMario, at last! I can hear the MIDI on my Mac.

You're right about it not being the "final.final" version, though. I take full responsibility for the mistakes, but there are several. The harmony's off in places, and I do seem to have left out a rest or two.

I'm going to keep tweaking the sheet music file re the timing and harmony. Finale Notepad (the free program) is not bad for doing a melody, but it's a pain in the butt when it comes to adding harmony unless you write it out on paper ahead of time.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Haruo
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 10:18 PM

Genie - I'd like to see the sheet music. I just downloaded Finale Notepad to the church's computer, so this will be my test of whether it works. Email it to me at [e-mail] . Thanks!

Haruo

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: MMario
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 07:27 PM

try the midi now - it's not the "final.final" version - but lets make sure it works...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 12:19 PM

Maybe that category should be changed to "Parodies/Humor." Not all funny songs are parodies.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: CapriUni
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 08:33 PM

I don't know what you'd do with a totally frivolous or irreverent Christmas (or Hanukkah or Solstice) song, though.

"Parodies", I'd think...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 08:25 PM

Actually, Capri, I think maybe a holiday category in the Songbook would be nice, but barring that, the "Inspirational" category seems the best fit.

I don't know what you'd do with a totally frivolous or irreverent Christmas (or Hanukkah or Solstice) song, though.

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 01:31 PM

While we're waiting for the MIDI in the Mudcat MIDI section (or even when it becomes available), if anyone is interested in the tune, I can

¥  email you the sheet music in Finale Notepad (a free program from Coda Music which works with Windows and Mac)

¥ fax the sheet music to you (I just need your fax number)

or

¥ play a tape of it (with instrument and harmony) into an answering machine.

My email is [e-mail].

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: CapriUni
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 10:29 AM

Well, go for it, girl! Your song should be in the Mudcat Songbook!

Okay, Okay! I'm still kinda tweaking the last verse in order to get that last half line to scan better, and considering a bit of minor rewording. Nothing to radically change it, just make it right -- fix mistakes, and all that...

So, is there a holiday catagory, or should we aim for both these songs to be put in the Inspirational section?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 10:00 AM

Well, go for it, girl!  Your song should be in the Mudcat Songbook!

Genie

Re the acute accent vs. the cedilla, I don't know why that happens.  I preview on my Mac and Aine's name comes out fine, acute accent (fada?) and all.  I've also opened my posts on Windows computers and the accents look fine 90++% of the time.  But occasionally, both my posts and those of some other people come out with funny looking symbols.  (Aine's name comes out with that upside down exclamation point instead of the A-acute accent in all the thread titles on my computer, but not in the posts.  Go figure.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: CapriUni
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 09:51 AM

I didn't know until recently that just ANYBODY could submit songs to çine for the songbook. I figgered maybe you hadda be invited or sump'n.

First, a side note: It might be one of the differences between our computers, but that A "with a hat" comes out looking like a little c "with a tail"... (no. looks more like a "foot") so it took me a while to figure out who you were talking about...

Actually, I haven't submitted my song to the songbook, yet. I'm just happy that it's posted in the Mudcat Midis.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: MMario
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 09:39 AM

@#$%%&^%#@##@@##!!@@$!@@$%$^@@^&@#$#%&@$#%@#!$!@$%@

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 09:10 AM

Hmmm. Still getting that "file not found" message, MMario.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: MMario
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 08:46 AM

which I believe I have now "fixed" so that it will work.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 03:27 AM

I'm not sure why I didn't post the song before, Capri -- or, for that matter, why I'm doing it now. I think your posting of your songs prompted me. But, truth be told, I didn't know until recently that just ANYBODY could submit songs to çine for the songbook. I figgered maybe you hadda be invited or sump'n.

Thanks for the good word. And thanks to our MMario for doing the MIDI.

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: CapriUni
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 11:05 PM

MMario, when I clicked on the link, I got a "File not Found" message...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: MMario
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 10:20 PM

Note - midi on Mudcat midi page. See Link at the top of the thread. Any errors in the midi are my fault - not hers; and I wish I knew how to put in the extyra stuff too, Genie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: CapriUni
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 10:11 PM

Yay!

So what took so long to get this song posted here?

;-)

It's your birthday, and you're giving us prezzies!

Subject: Lyr Add: Raise Your Voices In The Song(Christmas)
From: Genie
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 09:21 PM

I sent this song to Áine for the Mudcat Songbook.  It's pretty much one of those songs that just 'come to you' occasionally.  I was doing housework in 1993 and humming, and found myself singing this.   I toyed with the lyrics from time to time after that, but, for the most part, the song just 'found me.'  My sister spontaneously harmonized with it, in a beautiful soprano descant, when I sang it for her, so that's how I 'hear' the song now.  And, of course, you've gotta slap that guitar  at certain points in the song, like after "Joyous!"  "Joyous!"

I am posting both the 1993 version and a modified one (most modifications made in 1999).

Genie

Raise Your Voices In The Song     words & music by R. Jeanene Pratt 1993
4/4 time

 Am                             Dm                                               E
Many, many years ago,        in a time of strife and woe,
                E7                    Am      E
In a little village they call Bethlehem,
 Am                              Dm                                                 E
God sent down a legacy,       precious gift for you and me,
                E7                    Am   E         Am
Holy baby born to bring us life without end.

      Am               E                                        Am
    Angel voices rang across the winter sky
      Am                Dm                 E               E7
    Telling all the world the story of the holy birth!
      Am                       E              E7
    Joyous!  Joyous!  What a celebration!
       Am             Dm                     E     E7    Am
    Angel voices sang the song of Peace On Earth!
 

 Am                                       Dm
Shepherds toiling, oh, so hard on that blessed evening heard
  E       E7                          Am      E         Am
Music floating through the skies above.
Am                                      Dm                                      E
From their labors long they stopped to listen to the song,
                E7                        Am   E Am
Then went to Bethlehem to show their love.

          Am                                    E                                              Am
 They stopped, they hushed, they listened while the angels sang,
                           Dm                E                  E7
 Telling them the greatest story they had ever heard.
          Am                             E                  E7
 Then joyous!  Joyous!  They joined the celebration,
   Am                     Dm                   E     E7   Am
 Raised their voices in the song of Peace On Earth!
 

 Am                                     Dm
Centuries have passed away.        Do the people of today
   E                      E7                   Am                E
Know the deeper meaning of this season of the year?
 Am                                    Dm                                                   E
Many times the neon lights hide the Christmas star from sight,
                          E7                   Am   E  Am
And the song of peace can be so hard to hear.

      Am                 E                                         Am
 So stop!  Hush!  Listen while the angels sing
                         Dm               E                E7
 Telling all the world the story of the holy birth!
         Am                       E                E7
 Then joyous!  Joyous!  Join the celebration,
  Am                    Dm                  E     E7   Am
 Raise your voices in the song of Peace On Earth!
 

       Am                               Dm                                           E
The angelsÕ song is still alive in the blessings that we give,
                          E7                 Am    E
And it gives our hearts a reason to rejoice.
       Am                                       Dm                                            E
You may not hear it in the air, but if you pause or say a prayer
                        E7                Am   E       Am
You will hear it echo in that still, small voice.

      Am                 E                                         Am
 So stop!  Hush!  Listen while the angels sing
                         Dm               E                E7
 Telling all the world the story of the holy birth!
         Am                       E                E7
 Then joyous!  Joyous!  Join the celebration,
 Am                    Dm                  E     E7   Am
Raise your voices in the song of Peace On Earth!

Repeat last chorus, a cappella, softly on the first 2 lines, then fortissimo, with guitar on the last two lines.

©1993  R. Jeanene Pratt   [e-mail]

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Here is an alternate version, from 1999, with a few wording modifications:

Raise Your Voices In The Song
words & music by  R. Jeanene Pratt ©1993
Revised Dec. 1999, Nov. 2002

Many, many years ago, in a time of strife and woe,
In a little village they call Bethlehem,
Heaven sent a legacy, precious gift for you and me,
Holy baby born to be our savior and friend.

    Angel voices rang across the winter sky
    Telling all the world the story of the holy birth.
    Joyous!  Joyous!  What a celebration!
    Angel voices sang the song of Peace On Earth!

Shepherds toiling, so they say, in the hills not far away,
Heard music floating through the skies above.
From their labors long they stopped to listen to the song,
Then went to Bethlehem to show their love.

    They stopped.  They hushed.  They listened while the angels sang,
    Telling them the greatest story they had ever heard.
    Then joyous!  Joyous!  They joined the celebration,
    Raised their voices in the song of Peace On Earth!

Millenia have passed away.  Do the people of today
Know the deeper meaning of this season of the year?
Many times the neon lights hide that ancient star from sight
And the song of peace can be so hard to hear.

    So stop!  Hush!  Listen while the angels sing
    Open up your heart and soul to heavenÕs healing words,
    Then joyous!  Joyous!  Join the celebration,
    Raise your voices in the song of Peace On Earth!

The angelsÕ song is still alive; in human kindness it survives,
And it gives our hearts a reason to rejoice.
You may not hear it in the air, but if you pause or say a prayer
You will hear it echo in that still, small voice.

    So stop!  Hush!  Listen while the angels sing
    Open up your heart and soul to hear those healing words,
    Then joyous!  Joyous!  Join the celebration,
    Raise your voices in the song of Peace On Earth!

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Stylistic notes;
  The song is meant to be done rhythmically (much more than the MIDI will show), at a moderately fast pace.
  Verse 1 is done at normal volume, with sudden crescendo and fortissimo on the chorus.
  The other choruses are done softly for the 1st 2 lines, followed by a burst of volume on the last 2 lines.