Let Us Bless the Lord

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As I kept watch beside my sheep

Author: James Vila Blake
Tune: [As I kept watch beside my sheep] (German)
Published in 4 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 As I kept watch beside my sheep,
An angel brought me news to keep.
He said, There shall be born this night
A little child of love and light.

Refrain:
Glory on high, and peace below,
O Benedicamus Domino!

2 He said, The Child lies in the stall,
But He shall bless the wide world all.
I saw the stall and holy Child;
I could not leave that presence mild. [Refrain]

3 The Child upon me turned His eye,
And in His hand my heart laid I.
When I went home the Child with me
Went, and would never parted be. [Refrain]

4 O holy Child, I hallow Thee,
And joyful is my heart in me.
Glory on high, and peace below,
O Benedicamus Domino! [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #13276

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Author: James Vila Blake

Blake, James Vila. (Brooklyn, New York, January 21, 1842--April 28, 1925, Chicago, Illinois). He graduated from Harvard College in 1862 and from Harvard Divinity School in 1866, and served Unitarian churches in Massachusetts and Illinois, his last and longest pastorate being at Evanston, Illinois, 1892-1916. Author of a number of books. He shared with W.G. Gannett and F.L. Hosmer in the compilation of the first edition of Unity Hymns and Chorals, (1880), which included his hymn, "Father, Thou art calling, calling to us plainly," included also in The New Hymn and Tune Book, 1914, and in Hymns of the Spirit, 1937. the latter book also includes his hymn of the church universal, "O sing with loud and joyful song." --Henry Wilder Foote, DN… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	As I kept watch beside my sheep
Title:	Let Us Bless the Lord
Author:	James Vila Blake
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Glory on high, and peace below
Copyright:	Public Domain