Music & HymnsWhile Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

"There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night." Luke 2:8-9

Words: Nahum Tate, 1700; first appeared in Tate and Brady's Psalter, 1702.

Music: "Christmas," George Frederick Handel, 1728; arranged in Harmonia Sacra, 1812

"Martyrdom," Hugh Wilson, 1800; arranged by Ralph E. Hudson, circa 1885
"Shackelford," Frederick Henry Cheeswright, circa 1889
"Winchester Old," Este's Psalter, 1592

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around,
And glory shone around.

"Fear not!" said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind.
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind
To you and all mankind.

"To you, in David's town, this day
Is born of David's line
A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign,
And this shall be the sign.

"The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid,
And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God on high,
Who thus addressed their song,
Who thus addressed their song:

"All glory be to God on high,
And to the Earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease,
Begin and never cease!"

Hymns supplied through the gracious generosity of the Cyber Hymnal Website