Piano Demo
0:00
Hymnal Number
764Resource Type:
Keys included:
C
About this Hymn
English writers Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady created a whole set of Psalm paraphrases in 1696, with revisions in 1698; then, to go along with their psalter, they released a supplement in 1700, including this paraphrase of Luke 2:8–15. Hymnologist J. R. Watson observed that this paraphrase "carries the story with unobtrusive strength and a grand simplicity."
Lyrics
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
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
appeared a shining throng
of angels, praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song,
addressed their joyful song:
Verse 6
"All glory be to God on high,
and on the earth be peace;
goodwill henceforth from heav'n to men
begin and never cease,
begin and never cease."
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
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
appeared a shining throng
of angels, praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song,
addressed their joyful song:
Verse 6
"All glory be to God on high,
and on the earth be peace;
goodwill henceforth from heav'n to men
begin and never cease,
begin and never cease."
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady, 1700
Music: George Frideric Handel, 1728; adapt. and harm. Samuel Arnold, 1791
Music: George Frideric Handel, 1728; adapt. and harm. Samuel Arnold, 1791