While shepherds watch’d their flocks by night,

All seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down,

And glory shone around.

“Fear not,” said he, (for mighty dread

Had seiz’d their troubled mind,)

“Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind.

“To you, in David’s town, this day

Is born of David’s line,

A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,

And this shall be your sign:

“The heavenly Babe you there shall find,

To human view display’d;

All meanly wrapt in swaddling-clothes,

And in a manger laid.”

Thus spake the seraphs, and forthwith

Appear’d a shining throng

Of angels praising God, and thus

Address’d their joyful song:

“All glory be to God on high,

And on the earth be peace!

Good-will henceforth from Heaven to men

Begin and never cease!”