Scripture Verse

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

Introduction

Words: Ro­bert F. Smith, in Ca­rols for Use in Church, by Ri­chard R. Chope (Lon­don: Will­iam Clowes & Sons, 1894), num­ber 29.

Music: Char­lotte Ro­bert F. Smith (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

The flocks were wrapped in slum­ber
All along the dewy ground,
The shep­herds lay in si­lence
Keeping watch on all around.
They lit­tle thought such sight to see
Before their watch should cease,
Now glo­ry be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace.

The an­gel of the Lord came down
In floods of daz­zling light,
Above the bright­ness of the sun
When he goes forth in might;
His voice, it was so won­drous sweet,
It made their hearts to thrill,
Now glo­ry be to God on high,
And un­to men good­will.

Fear not, he said, I bring glad news;
In Da­vid’s town this morn,
To you and all the world a Sav­ior,
Christ the Lord, is born;
This day is born the Sav­ior Christ,
To save us from all ill;
Now glo­ry be to God on high,
And un­to men good­will.

Then op­ened Hea­ven’s chan­cel,
While the shep­herds gazed in fear,
Out trooped the choir of an­gels;
Oh, the bless­ed­ness to hear!
And loud they sang as though the hea­vens
Were not enough to fill;
Now glo­ry be to God on high,
And un­to men good­will.

Oh, praise the Lord of hosts who sent
His sing­ers sweet that night,
From the ho­ly place of Hea­ven,
From the choir that needs no light;
Let love this ho­ly sea­son keep;
Let strife and tur­moil cease,
And glo­ry be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace.