[Main] [Poetry Index]* [Poets] 1991 Denson Revision: [Titles] [Pages] [First Lines]* 2012 Cooper Revision: [Titles] [Pages] [First Lines]*
* Index of the First Line of Each Stanza, the Fifth Line of Eight Line Stanzas, and the First Line of the Chorus

While Shepherds watch'd their Flocks by Night

Song of the Angels, at the Nativity of our Blessed
Saviour. Luke II. from v. 8. to v. 15.

Poet: Nahum Tate, 1702
Meter: Common Meter (8,6,8,6)
Location in The Sacred Harp
Stanza Denson Cooper
1
While Shepherds watch'd their Flocks by Night
all seated on the Ground,
The Angel of the Lord came down,
and Glory shone around.

Glory Shone Around 98, Stanza 1
2
"Fear not, said he, (for mighty Dread
"had seiz'd their trouble Mind)
"Glad Tidings of great Joy I bring
"to you, and all Mankind:

3
"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:

4
"The heav'nly Babe you there shall find
"to humane View display'd,
"All meanly wrapt in swathing Bands,
"and in a Manger laid.

5
Thus spake the Seraph, and forthwith
appear'd a shining Throng
Of Angels praising God, and thus
address their joyful Song:

6
"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.

Brady, Nicholas and Nahum Tate. A New Version of the Psalms of David, Fitted to the Tunes used in Churches. Boston: Re-printed by J. Allen, for Benjamin Elliot, at his Shop in Xing-street, 1720.