Music by George Frideric Handel, words by Nahum Tate
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 minds,
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind.
"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 heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All simply wrapped in swaddling clothes,
And in a manger laid;
And in a manger laid."
"All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease,
Begin and never cease."