Words: originally 'Hark! How All the Welkin Rings', written by Charles Wesley in 1739. Amended by at least two writers: George Whitfield in 1753; and Martin Madan in 1760.
Music: written by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840 (the 'Gott ist Licht' ('God is Light') chorus from the Festgesang ('Festival Song') cantata celebrating the 400th anniversary of the invention of the printing press).
Words and music brought together by William Hayman Cummings in 1855. First performed by the choir at Waltham Abbey, where Cummings was organist.