While shepherds watch their flocks

While shepherds watch their flocks
RELATED TOPICS	Thomas Este's Psalter, Nahum Tate
SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS
CONTENTS

Facts

"While shepherds watch their flocks" is a well known Christmas carol and tells the story of the shepherds that were told to find Jesus in the stable by Angels.

• Tune: Winchester Old
• Meter: CM
• Composer: From Thomas Este's Psalter (1592)
• Lyricist: Nahum Tate (1652 - 1715)
• Music and Lyrics Copyright Public Domain

Lyrics

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 all of humankind,

to all of humankind."

"To you, in David's town, this day

is born of David's line

a Saviour, 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 earth

begin and never cease,

begin and never cease!"

External Links

• Free MP3 file available for use in worship

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