1. While shepherds watch’d their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around.
2. “Fear not,” said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind; “Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.
3. To you, in David’s town, this day Is born of David’s line. The Savior, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign:
4. “The heav’nly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid.
5. “All glory be to God on high And on the earth be peace. Good will henceforth from heav’n to men Begin and never cease.”