The words are by Henry van Dyke and the tune by Beethoven. They sing it in Sister Act 2 don’t they, and this choir copies that pretty much. In fact You Tube is full of gospel choir versions if you want to seek them out. What I was looking for was a more traditional version and it took some finding.
This is a render of a MIDI file I made soon after the discovery of fire:
- Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!- All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.- Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.- Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
In the triumph song of life.
These are not the lyrics we have used however. We sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the Lord! Alleluia! Alleluia! Sing we now with one accord. Sound the trumpets, raise your voices, Heaven rejoices with us all. “Alleluia!” is our song and “Alleluia” is our call.Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the Father’s holy name, Alleluia! praise the Son whose Gospel words we now proclaim. Alleluia! praise the Spirit source of love and unity. Alleluia! Alleluia! praise from God’s own family.
Father love is reigning o’er us, children of his masterplan.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.