Scripture Verse

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Introduction

illustration
Shepherds Abiding in the Fields
Carl H. Bloch
1834–1890

Words: Al­ice J. Clea­tor, in Up­lift­ed Voic­es, ed­it­ed by Ad­am Gei­bel & R. Frank Leh­man (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Ad­am Gei­bel Mu­sic, 1901), num­ber 169.

Music: R. Frank Leh­man (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Clea­tor or Leh­man (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

All the city lies in sleeping,
O’er the sea a silence reigns;
Lowly shepherds watch are keeping
O’er their flocks on Judah’s plains.

Refrain

Hark the song, the song of angels,
News of joy and peace we gladly bring;
In the favored city yonder,
Christ is born, is born today a king.

In the favored city yonder,
Christ is born today a king.

Lo! a starry light is shining,
Music thrills the arch of night.
Shepherds on the plains reclining
Rise to greet the song and light.

Refrain

In a shelter rude and lowly
Shepherds find the Prince of Light;
O how beautiful and holy
Was that happy Christmas night.

Refrain