Go Ad-Free
If you regularly use Hymnary.org, enhance your experience with Hymnary Pro—ad-free browsing plus powerful tools for planning, discovery and customization.
If you regularly use Hymnary.org, enhance your experience with Hymnary Pro—ad-free browsing plus powerful tools for planning, discovery and customization.

George Frideric Handel (b. Halle, Germany, 1685; d. London, England, 1759) became a musician and composer despite objections from his father, who wanted him to become a lawyer. Handel studied music with Zachau, organist at the Halle Cathedral, and became an accomplished violinist and keyboard performer. He traveled and studied in Italy for some time and then settled permanently in England in 1713. Although he wrote a large number of instrumental works, he is known mainly for his Italian operas, oratorios (including Messiah, 1741), various anthems for church and royal festivities, and organ concertos, which he interpolated into his oratorio performances. He composed only three hymn tunes, one of which (GOPSAL) still appears in some modern hy… Go to person page >| Title: | CHRISTMAS (Handel) |
| Composer: | George Frideric Handel (1728) |
| Meter: | 8.6.8.6.6 |
| Incipit: | 34517 65123 34555 |
| Key: | D Major |
| Copyright: | Public Domain |
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
an angel of the Lord came down,
and glory shone around.
The tune is based on the the beginning of the soprano aria "Non vi piacque ingiusti dei" from the opera "Siroe"
Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations
|
Organ Solo
|
Piano Solo
|
Piano and Organ Duet
|
My Starred Hymns