Hymns and Tunes 1886 288
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
Words: Tate and BradyMusic: George F. HandelTune: ChristmasC. M.
1While 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.
2"Fear not," said he,—for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled 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 heavenly babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All humbly wrapped in swathing-bands,
And in a manger laid."
5Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God on high,
Who thus addressed their song:
6"All glory be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace,
Good-will henceforth from heaven to men,
Begin and never cease."
- Words
- Tate and Brady
- Music
- George F. Handel
- Tune
- Christmas
- Meter
- C. M.
- Scripture
- Luke 2:8-14
Public Domain
The verse
- Meter
- 8.6.8.6.6 · the hymnal prints C. M.
- Foot
- iambic (da-DUM) · 71% of beats fit
- Rhyme
- ABCB
Could also be sung to Azmon, Coronation, Ortonville, Cantate Domino, St. Agnes · same meter and stresses; not printed with these words, so try it first.
Scan every line
/ stressed · ˘ unstressed · ? not in the dictionary · * a word sung short, as “heav’n”
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Verse 6
Counted by machine from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. It cannot hear emphasis or a poet’s licence, so treat it as a place to start reading, not the last word.