Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ~ Isaiah 7:14
Christmas Song Lyrics Compiled by Charles P. Scott
Far, Far Away in Judea's Planes
Performed by Blake Snow
Lyrics
Far, far away on Judea's plains,
Shepherds of old heard the joyous strains:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth, good-will to men;
Peace on earth, good-will to men!
Sweet are these strains of redeeming love,
Message of mercy from heaven above:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth, good-will to men;
Peace on earth, good-will to men!
Lord, with the angels we too would rejoice,
Help us to sing with the heart and voice:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth, good-will to men;
Peace on earth, good-will to men!
Hasten the time when, from every clime,
Men shall unite in the strains sublime:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth, good-will to men;
Peace on earth, good-will to men!
About This Song
Residents of Southern Utah can pride themselves on a connection to the composition of an original Christmas carol. The story behind the writing of the great Christmas hymn “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains” holds fascinating sway, and one can find in the history of Utah’s Dixie the story of Judge John Menzies Macfarlane, who composed the words and music of this resounding carol. Flora Morris Brooks, granddaughter of John M. and Ann Chatterly Macfarlane, tells the story of its writing.
A request was made of Charles L. Walker and John Macfarlane to write a song for a Christmas program. Walker, a gifted poet and lyricist, penned the words, which he gave to Macfarlane to create the musical score. Although Walker and Macfarlane had collaborated on songs before, this number proved especially difficult. It seemed the more Macfarlane tried to write the music for Walker’s words, the more he felt unable to complete the task. Even prayer and meditation proved unsuccessful for Macfarlane, and he felt discouraged, indeed.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Macfarlane, unable to sleep, awoke and got out of bed; his wife Ann also awoke and queried him about his restlessness. He told her the song had come to him in his sleep and he had to write it immediately, so Ann held the lamp while Macfarlane wrote the words and music as he sat at the organ in his living room.
