Text by Nahum Tate
While shepherds watch'd their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
“Fear not!” he said, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind.
“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
A Savior, 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 on high,
Who thus addressed their song:
“All glory be to God on high,
And to the Earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease!”
"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" è un canto natalizio tradizionale, originato dall'adattamento dei versi di Nahum Tate, pubblicati nel 1700, su una melodia nota come "Christmas", tratta dal "Siroe" di Georg Friedrich Haendel, completato nel 1728.
