While shepherds watch’d their flocks by night
```
{title: While shepherds watch'd their flocks by night}
{key: C}
{verse}
[C] While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
[F] All seated on the ground,
[G] The angel of the Lord came down,
[C] And glory shone around.
{verse}
[C] "Fear not," said he, (for mighty dread
[F] Had seized their troubled mind,)
[G] "Glad tidings of great joy I bring
[C] To you and all mankind.
{verse}
[C] "To you in David's town this day
[F] Is born, of David's line,
[G] The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
[C] And this shall be the sign:
{verse}
[C] "The heavenly babe you there shall find
[F] To human view display'd,
[G] All meanly wrapp'd in swathing bands,
[C] And in a manger laid."
{verse}
[C] Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
[F] Appear'd a shining throng
[G] Of angels praising God, on high,
[C] And thus addressed their song:
{chorus}
[C] "All glory be to God on high,
[F] And to the earth be peace;
[G] Good will henceforth, from heaven to men,
[C] 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.
"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 display'd,
All meanly wrapp'd in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appear'd a shining throng
Of angels praising God, on high,
And thus addressed their 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."
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About This Hymn
"While Shepherds Watch'd Their Flocks by Night" is a traditional English Christmas carol, with its origins dating back to the 17th century. It is believed to have been written by Nahum Tate, a poet and playwright, in 1700. Tate's version of the hymn was inspired by the biblical account of the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds in the fields, as described in the Gospel of Luke (2:8-14). This hymn, composed of seven stanzas, was first published in Tate's "New Version of the Psalms of David." Its joyful, celebratory tone and simple, vivid imagery have made it a favorite in Christmas services and celebrations. Over time, it has been paired with several musical arrangements, but its most familiar melody is attributed to the composer and musician, George Frideric Handel, though some dispute this attribution. The carol emphasizes the wonder and awe of the shepherds upon hearing the angel's message and witnessing the birth of Christ.