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116 | Glory to God#117 | 118 |
Text: | While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks |
Author: | Nahum Tate |
Tune: | WINCHESTER OLD |
Harmonizer: | George Kirby |
Media: | Audio recording |
1 While 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 humankind.
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 humbly wrapped in swathing bands,
and in a manger laid.”
5 Thus spoke 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 to all from highest heaven
begin and never cease!”
Text Information | |
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First Line: | While shepherds watched their flocks by night |
Title: | While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks |
Author: | Nahum Tate (1700, alt.) |
Meter: | CM |
Language: | English |
Publication Date: | 2013 |
Scripture: | ; |
Topic: | Christian Year: Nativity/Christmas; Christian Year: Epiphany; Jesus Christ: Birth |
Tune Information | |
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Name: | WINCHESTER OLD |
Harmonizer: | George Kirby (1592) |
Meter: | CM |
Key: | F Major |
Source: | Este’s Psalmes, 1592 |
Notes: | (alternate tune: CHRISTMAS, 118) |
This was one of the first metrical texts to deal with a New Testament narrative rather than paraphrase one of the Psalms. It is set here to a psalm tune that is more than a century older than the words, though the two were not firmly joined until the mid-19th century.
Media | |
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Audio recording: | ![]() |