Songs 37

¹While humble shepherds watch’d their flocks

in Bethleh’m’s plains by night,

An angel sent from heav’n appear’d,

and fill’d the plains with light.

²Fear not, he said, (for sudden dread

had seiz’d their troubled mind;)

Glad tidings of great joy I bring

to you, and all mankind.

³To you, in David’s town, this day

is born, of David’s line,

The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;

and this shall be the sign:

⁴The heav’nly Babe you there shall find

to human view display’d,

All meanly wrapt in swaddling‐bands,

and in a manger laid.

⁵Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith

appear’d a shining throng

Of angels, praising God; and thus

address’d their joyful song:

⁶All glory be to God on high,

and to the earth be peace;

Good‐will is shown by Heav’n to men,

and never more shall cease.