The Shepherds of Bethlehem

At Bethlehem, in wintery cold

Author: John Henry Hopkins
Tune: [At Bethlehem, in wintry cold]
Published in 4 hymnals

Printable scores: MusicXML

Representative Text

1. At Bethlehem, in wintry cold,
The faithful shepherds guard their fold:
The crowded town is sunk in sleep,
While midnight vigil still they keep.
And rocks and hills are ringing,
While they, to shield their sheep from harm,
And keep themselves awake and warm,
Are cheerily, loudly singing,

Refrain
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah,
Praise the Lord!

2. Their fleecy flocks are gathered round,
All lying on the frosty ground,
And new-born lambkins may be seen,
Close nestling, here and there, between.
Their shepherds thus surrounding,
With tuneful heart and wakeful ear,
Their livelong night they love to hear,
The rocks and hills resounding, [Refrain]

3. When lo! an angel, from on high,
Came sailing down the starry sky;
A glory all around him shined,
And left a track of light behind.
His way thus swiftly winging,
From far he smiles with radiant joy,
That shepherds thus their voice employ,
All night in sweetly singing— [Refrain]

4. Fear not, said he—for at the sight
The simple shepherds start with fright—
Fear not, for unto you this morn
In David’s town a Babe is born:
Tis Christ, your Lord and Savior,
Whose reign, when He is crownèd King,
Shall make both men and angels sing,
For ever and for ever. [Refrain]

5. While yet he spake, in robes of flame
A flying cloud of angels came;
Upon the midnight air loud rang
Their golden harps, while thus they sang:
To God on high be glory:
And peace on earth, good will to men!
Angels and shepherds joining then,
Thus hail the wondrous story, [Refrain]

6. Their leader then those hosts obey,
Unfold their wings and soar away
Yet loud their golden strings they ply
All singing, harping, as they fly;
Chorus to chorus calling.
Till past the stars they disappear,
That song the listening shepherds hear,
Still faint and fainter falling, [Refrain]

7. Then straight they go to Bethlehem,
Their flocks all following after them;
They find the Babe in manger laid,
With Joseph and the mother-maid;
Before Him lowly kneeling,
They tell their tale: the infant King
Smiles sweetly on them while they sing,
With joy that cavern thrilling, [Refrain]

8. Returning, they the tale repeat
Through all the long day-dawning street;
From door and window crowds look out,
To hear their strange, yet joyous shout.
Their sheep still follow, bleating;
And all that hear the shepherds’ song,
With burning heart and tingling tongue,
Send on the angelic greeting— [Refrain]

9. And every Christmas-tide, that song
More numerous sounds, and yet more strong;
From age to age, from pole to pole,
It rolls along, and yet shall roll:
Till, crowned with splendor glorious,
That Babe shall come again, a King,
And saints and angels all shall sing,
In endless, boundless chorus— [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #6028

Author: John Henry Hopkins

John Henry Hopkins, Jr MA USA 1820-1891. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, having 12 siblings, the son of pioneer parents (his father from Dublin, his mother from Hamburg) he became an ecclesiologist. His father had been an ironmaster, school teacher, lawyer, priest and second Episcopal Bishop of Vermont, (becoming presiding bishop in 1865). When his father founded the Vermont Episcopal Institute, he needed an assistant to help run it, so he picked his son to become a tutor and disciplinarian. The younger Hopkins played the flute and bugle in the school orchestra and also taught Sunday school. John Henry reflected the artistic talents of both parents in music, poetry, and art. After graduating from the University of Vermont in 1839, he returned… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: At Bethlehem, in wintery cold
Title: The Shepherds of Bethlehem
Author: John Henry Hopkins
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Cyber Hymnal #6028
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The Cyber Hymnal #6028

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