Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight o'er all the earth.
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ the new born King.
This well-known carol will be sung in carol services during the coming Christmas season.
James Montgomery (1771-1854) who wrote it was a British editor, poet, hymn-writer and prominent figure in the Sunday school movement who was born in Scotland of missionary parents who lived and died in Sheffield. He was also known for humanitarian causes such as campaigns to end slavery and the exploitation of child chimney sweeps.
The above memorial window to the hymn writer is in Sheffield Anglican Cathedral and shows a host of angels and St. Matthew, Moses, David and St. John, four witnesses acknowledging God's glory throughout time and eternity. His monument stands in the churchyard outside the window.
He holds a Bible in his hand and engraved are extracts from his poems, 'The Grave' and 'Prayer'.
