Thanks for being a Hymnary.org user. You are one of more than 10 million people from 200-plus countries around the world who have benefitted from the Hymnary website in 2024! If you feel moved to support our work today with a gift of any amount and a word of encouragement, we would be grateful.

You can donate online at our secure giving site.

Or, if you'd like to make a gift by check, please make it out to CCEL and mail it to:
Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 3201 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
And may the promise of Advent be yours this day and always.

8344. While Shepherds Kept Their Flocks By Night

1 While shepherds kept their flocks by night,
An angel clothed with power and light,
Did to the shepherds there appear,
Which filled their minds with dread and fear.

2 But to their comforts thus he said,
“Dear shepherds, be ye not afraid:
I have a message unto you,
Exceeding joyful, great and true.

3 “This day is born in David’s town,
The mighty prince of great renown;
The Lord and Savior of mankind
In Bethlehem ye shall Him find.

4 "There He is in a manger laid,
And there to human view displayed;
He, who hath all at His commands,
Is there a babe in swathing bands."

5 Then did angelic host appear,
And shepherds songs of praise did hear:
"All glory be to God on high!
Who brings to us salvation nigh."

6 O happy news sent down from Heav’n!
Since peace to man on earth is giv’n;
Good will from God to man shall be,
And blessings to eternity.

Text Information
First Line: While shepherds kept their flocks by night
Title: While Shepherds Kept Their Flocks By Night
Author: Paul B. Henkel
Meter: LM
Language: English
Source: Church Hymn Book by Paul Henkel (New Market, VA: Solomon Henkel, 1816)
Copyright: Public Domain
Notes: Alternate tunes: ARIZONA by Robert H. Earnshaw; BROOKFIELD by Thomas B. Southdate
Tune Information
Name: DE PAUW
Composer: Robert Guy McCutchan (1930)
Meter: LM
Key: D♭ Major
Copyright: Public Domain



Media
Adobe Acrobat image: PDF
MIDI file: MIDI
Noteworthy Composer score: Noteworthy Composer Score

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.