While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Another beautiful carol that I was just humming today. Happy Christmas Eve everyone!

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.”

“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!”

Words: Na­hum Tate, 1700; first ap­peared in Tate and Bra­dy’s Psalter, 1702.
Music: Christmas, George F. Han­del, 1728; ar­ranged in Har­mon­ia Sac­ra, 1812