While
Shepherds watched...
Hymns contents Nahum Tate ( 1652 - 1715)
Nahum Tate was Poet
Laureate during
the reign of Queen Anne. Tate in collaboration
with
Nicholas Brady published the famous (?) New version of the Psalms
of David .
The hymn 'While
shepherds watched..' was
published in 1703 and is regarded as Tate's work alone, though some
scholars disagree. A version of three stanzas, each combined
of
two smaller ones, was done by Sir Arthur Sullivan
and set
it to the tune 'Bethlehem'.
Winchester old c.m. 1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground The Angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. 2. "Fear not," he said,(for mighty dread Had seized their troubled minds) "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 A Saviour who is Christ the Lord And this shall be the sign" 4. "The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed And meanly wrapped in swaddling bands And in a manger laid." 5. Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song 6. "All glory be to God on high And to the earth be peace; Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men Begin and never cease!" ******* |