While shepherds watched
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 seized
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 the sign'
'The heavenly babe you
there shall find to human
view displayed all meanly
wrapped in swaddling
bands and in a
manger laid'
Thus spake the seraph
and forthwith appeared
a shining throng of
angels praising God
who thus addressed
their joyful song
'All glory be to God on
high and to the earth
be peace goodwill
from heaven to men
begin begin and
never cease'
Goodwill from heaven