WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT

Nahum Tate 1652-1715Arranged from Grorge F. Handel

America: This song is the combination of the text from "New Verison of the Pslams' which is a Biblical parapharse and Handel's music from an opera. To hear the music for this hymn click on the button. Choose Traditional #26. Then click on this page.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
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, in David's town, this day
Is born, of David's line,
The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign:

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

Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful 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."





Thank-you to J. S. Magic for the graphics