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Christmas Carols · No. 20 · Words: Nahum Tate
While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks
Create PowerPoint slides from this hymn →A beloved Christmas carol by Irish poet Nahum Tate, first published in 1700, retelling the angels' announcement of Christ's birth to the shepherds from Luke 2. It remains one of the oldest surviving English Christmas hymns still in common use.
Verse 1
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.
Verse 2
"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.
Verse 3
"To you, in David's town this day,
Is born of David's line
The Savior, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign,
And this shall be the sign:
Verse 4
"The heav'nly 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.
Verse 5
"All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace:
Good will henceforth, from heav'n to men,
Begin and never cease!
Begin and never cease!" Amen!
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