Song #21 -While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night

Song #21

"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night"

This song is basically Luke 2:8-14.

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.

"Fear not!" said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind;

"Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and human kind, to you and human 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 be the sign, and this shall be the sign:

"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."

Thus spoke the seraph, and forthwith appeared a shining throng

of angels praising God, who thus addressed their joyful song, addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace;

good will henceforth from heav'n to all begin and never cease, begin and never cease!"