Out on the hills
OUT ON THE HILLS
OUT ON THE HILLS
1 Out on the hills where shepherds keep
watch through the night while others sleep,
suddenly all the world is bright,
heaven is filled with glorious light.
Angels of God are calling them:
‘Hurry, and come to Bethlehem,
born is your Saviour—worship him:
Jesus the Lord!’
2 From distant lands wise men look up,
see in the skies a star of hope.
Herod can’t foil the plans they make—
God will protect the path they take.
Follow the star to Bethlehem,
kneel and adore the child with them,
offer yourself, your life to him:
Jesus your Lord!
3 In the dark valley where I stay
vainly I search for peace today.
Have I no light, no star to shine,
can I not call this Saviour mine?
Shine in my heart, O Spirit, then,
showing me Christ, who for my sin
went to the cross from Bethlehem:
Jesus my Lord!
~~~
Tune: OUT ON THE HILLS
Metre: 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 4
Key: F
words © 1984 rev.2010, Emma Turl / Praise Trust
music © Gill Berry / Praise Trust
CCLI Song Number 7191418
Keyboard Demo:
Sources: Isaiah 9:1-2, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:8-20, John 20:27-28, Acts 16:14, 2 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Peter 2:24-25
Themes: angels, birth of Jesus, cross, darkness and light, saviour from sin, shepherds, wise men
We recall with wonder that shepherds in Roman Palestine saw the light of Heaven’s glory surrounding an angel who pointed them to the nativity of their Shepherd-Saviour, and that a star like no other led wise men from the East to the infant King of kings. It was the beginning of Jesus’s path to the cross, and what has happened since then and how the news still affects people today is equally wonderful - a story not yet finished.
The words of this song first appeared in “Treasures Old and New” (1989), with the suggested tune OPEN MY EYES by Clara Scott, an accomplished 19th century American lyricist and musician. Gill Berry later composed a new setting, OUT ON THE HILLS, which was entered for Premier Christian Radio’s carol competition in November 1997. It was sung by Helen King, accompanied on the piano by Vivien Hircock. The successful recording (judged as runner-up) was broadcast several times - particularly in memory of Viv who sadly died of meningitis before the result had been announced. Sheet music and other resources are at Praise! No.1063.