Scripture Verse

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

Introduction

Words: John G. C. Brain­ard, in Psalms and Hymns for Chris­tian Use and Wor­ship, 1845.

Music: Wood­stock (Dut­ton) De­o­da­tus Dut­ton, Jr., in Am­er­i­can Psal­mo­dy, by De­o­da­tus Dut­ton and El­am Ives, Jr., 1829 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Dut­ton (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

portrait
John G. C. Brainard
1796–1828

Lyrics

To Thee, O God, the shepherd kings
Their earliest homage paid,
And wafted upon angel wings
Their worship was conveyed.

And they who watched their flocks by night
Were first to learn Thy grace,
Were first to seek by dawning light,
Their Savior’s dwelling place.

The hills and vales, the woods and streams,
The fruits and flowers, are Thine;
Where’er the sun can send its beams
Or the mild moon can shine.

By Thee, the spring puts forth its leaves,
By Thee, comes down the rain,
By Thee, the yellow harvest sheaves
Stand ripening on the plain.

When winter comes in storm and wrath,
Thy soothing voice is heard;
As round the farmer’s peaceful hearth
Is read Thy holy Word.

Thus are we fostered by Thy care,
Supported by Thy hand;
Our heritage is rich and fair,
And this Thy chosen land.