Sagaye Usmadale

Glory in the highest, friend, glory to God,
to good-willed people on this earthly plane, peace forever,
the angels came down to all the earth, and sang songs of joy,
and the song of peace spread out across all ten directions of the world

Alleluia . . //
the god-son is born, healing the whole world,
the god-son is born, comforting the whole world

In Mother Mary’s embrace, in the safe father’s shade,
for the smiling divine baby, they wove a garland of soothing songs,
baby shepherds took up their flutes and played many song-patterns,
and to that music, rising, the god-son is lulled in his mother’s embrace

Alleluia . . //
two kings are born, healing the whole world,
the god-son is born, comforting the whole world

In the light of the lamp-stars, hurrying, guided,
crossing valleys and forest-paths, the three wise kings arrived,
and offered the baby bundles of gold, silver and pearls,
kneeling with the five points to the ground, they sang sweet hymns

Alleluia . . //
two kings are born, healing the whole world,
the god-son is born, and the whole world is filled with light

A jubilant Christmas carol, its title echoing the angels’ Gloria in excelsis, Glory in the highest. It opens with the first Christmas night: glory to God and peace forever to good-willed people on this earthly plane; the angels came down to all the earth and sang songs of joy, until the song of peace spread out across all ten directions of the world. And the refrain rings the good news, Alleluia, the god-son is born, healing the whole world.

The middle is the tender manger scene. In Mother Mary’s embrace, in a safe father’s shade, the smiling divine baby is sung to sleep, and baby shepherds took up their flutes and played many song-patterns, lulling the child in his mother’s arms. Even the youngest and humblest join the music.

The close brings the Magi. In the light of the lamp-stars, the three wise kings, crossing valleys and forests, arrive and offer gold, silver and pearls, kneeling with the five points to the ground to sing sweet hymns. And the final refrain widens the joy: the god-son is born, and the whole world is filled with light. Sung by Shivantha Fernando (a Marians original) to words by Laksuri Weerasinge, it is a bright, joyful carol that walks through the whole Nativity, angels, shepherds and Magi, celebrating peace on earth and a world flooded with light.