====== While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks ======

===== Lyrics =====

1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night,\\
all seated on the ground,\\
an 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\\
a 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 simply wrapped in swaddling clothes\\
and in a manger laid."

5. Thus spoke the angel. Suddenly\\
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;\\
to those on whom his favor rests\\
goodwill shall never cease."

**Text:** Nahum Tate
==== Music & Performance ====

LDS Version:\\
{{:wiki:while_shepherds_watched_their_flocks_lds.mp3|while_shepherds_watched_their_flocks_lds.mp3}}
\\
[[https://www.ldshymns.com/lds-hymns-201-225/211-while-shepherds-watched-their-flocks|Source]]

George F. Händel Version:\\
{{wiki:while_shepherds_watched_their_flocks_handle.mp3}}
\\
[[https://musescore.com/user/60868/scores/6401606|Source]]

Winchester Old Version:\\
{{:wiki:while_shepherds_watched_their_flocks_winchester.mp3|while_shepherds_watched_their_flocks_winchester.mp3}}
\\
[[https://musescore.com/user/49802/scores/410561|Source]]

{{youtube>61QUFb8R8DE?small=rel=0}}

===== Background =====

**Origin:** Ireland\\
**First Published:** 1696
===== More Information =====

[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/While_Shepherds_Watched_Their_Flocks|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/While_Shepherds_Watched_Their_Flocks]]

[[https://hymnary.org/text/while_shepherds_watched_their_flocks_by|https://hymnary.org/text/while_shepherds_watched_their_flocks_by]]