The COAM WaitesPreview
Open in TheBrain

While shepherds watched (CCS)

Tune: Ilkley Moor + the other tune

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 minds

"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 displayed

All meanly wrapped

In swathing bands

And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph,

and forthwith

Appeared a shining throng

Of angels praising God, who thus

Addressed their joyful song

"All glory be to God on high

And to the earth be peace;

Goodwill henceforth

From heaven to men

Begin and never cease!"

The exact date of Nahum Tate's composition is not known, but the words appeared in Tate and Nicholas Brady's 1700 supplement to their New Version of the Psalms of David of 1696.

It was the only Christmas hymn authorised to be sung by the Anglican Church; before 1700 only the Psalms of David were permitted to be sung