Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ~ Isaiah 7:14
Christmas Song Lyrics Compiled by Charles P. Scott
While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks
Lyrics
While Shepherds watch 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 man-kind"
"To you in David's town this day
Is born of David's line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall me the sign
The heavenly babe you there shall find
To human view displayed
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands
And in a manger laid"
Thus spoke the seraph and forth-with
Appeared a shiny throng
Of angels praising God who thus
Addressed their joyful song
"All glory be to God on high
And on the earth be peace
Goodwill hence-forth from heav'n to men
Begin and never cease"
About This Song
‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks’ is one of the most famous Christmas songs in the English language, and unlike many Christmas carols we know who wrote this one: a Poet Laureate, no less.
Interestingly, ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks’ was the only Christmas hymn which the Anglican Church authorised to be sung, and before it was published, only the Psalms of David were allowed. So ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks’ is one of the first ‘official’ Christmas carols we have in English literature.
