You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

6299. Shepherds! Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep

1. Shepherds! Shake off your drowsy sleep,
Rise and leave your silly sheep;
Angels from Heav’n around loud singing,
Tidings of great joy are bringing,

Refrain
Shepherds! The chorus come and swell!
Sing Nowell, O sing Nowell!

2. Hark! Even now the bells ring ’round;
Listen to their merry sound!
Hark! How the birds new songs are making,
As if winter’s chains were breaking, [Refrain]

3. Cometh at length the age of peace,
Strife and sorrow now shall cease;
Prophets foretold the wondrous story
Of this Heaven-born Prince of glory, [Refrain]

4. Shepherds! Then up and quick away!
Seek the Babe ere break of day;
He is the hope of every nation,
All in Him shall find salvation, [Refrain]

Text Information
First Line: Shepherds! Shake off your drowsy sleep
Title: Shepherds! Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep
Refrain First Line: Shepherds! The chorus come and swell!
Meter: 87.98.87
Language: English
Source: Traditional French carol; Translator unknown
Copyright: Public Domain
Tune Information
Name: BESANÇON
Meter: 87.98.87
Incipit: 11155 67111 77656
Key: D Major
Copyright: Public Domain



Media
Adobe Acrobat image: Adobe Acrobat image
(Cyber Hymnal)
MIDI file: MIDI File
(Cyber Hymnal)
Noteworthy Composer score: Noteworthy Composer score
(Cyber Hymnal)
XML score: XML score
More media are available on the tune authority page.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.