Scripture Verse

There were…shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8

Introduction

Words: From the Ger­man, by James V. Blake, in The Car­ol, ed­it­ed by Charles W. Wendte (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: John Church, 1886), num­ber 229.

Music: Teu­to­burg For­est Ger­man tune, be­fore 1887 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Blake (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

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!

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

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

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

Refrain

illustration
Angel Appearing Before the Shepherds
Thomas Buchanan Read, 1870