SDA Hymnal 139
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Words: Nahum TateMusic: George Frideric 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.
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 Savior who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:
4"The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid."
5Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:
6"All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease!"
- Words
- Nahum Tate
- Tune
- Christmas
- Meter
- C.M.
- Scripture
- Luke 2:8-20
The verse
- Meter
- 8.6.8.6 · as printed
- Foot
- iambic (da-DUM) · 70% 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.