While Shepherds Watched
Choir and Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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, 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"
"The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed
All meanly wrapped in swathing 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 on the earth be peace
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease"
The song, While Shepherds Watched, is a famous Christmas carol that tells the story of the shepherds who were visited by an angel of the Lord while watching their flocks by night. The song is based on the Biblical account in the Gospel of Luke, where the shepherds were told of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. The opening verse describes the scene of the shepherds watching their flocks at night, with the angel of the Lord appearing to them and shining a bright light around them.
The second verse of the song addresses the fear that the shepherds experienced at the sight of the angel. The angel reassures them that he comes bearing good news, the glad tidings of the birth of Christ. The angel then tells the shepherds where they can find the newborn baby, who will be laying in a manger. The third verse describes the appearance of a group of angels who join the angel of the Lord in praising God and bringing peace to the earth.
The lyrics of the song emphasize the significance of the birth of Jesus and the message of peace that he brings with him. The song has been beloved for generations and is often sung in churches and at Christmas events worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
The shepherds were watching their flocks at night
All seated on the ground
While they were seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
An angel of the Lord appeared
And glory shone around
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
"Fear not", said he, for mighty dread
The angel said, "Don't be afraid, for you are scared"
Had seized their troubled mind
Because their minds were troubled
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
He brought good news of great joy
To you and all mankind"
For you and everyone else
"To you, in David's town this day
"Today, in David's town
Is born of David's line
The Savior who is from the line of David
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
The Savior who is the Christ, the Lord
And this shall be the sign"
Here's how you'll know:
"The heavenly Babe you there shall find
"You will find the baby there in the manger
To human view displayed
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, displayed to human view
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands
Wrapped humbly in cloth bands
And in a manger laid"
And laid in a manger"
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Then the angel said and suddenly
Appeared a shining throng
There appeared a group of shining angels
Of angels praising God, who thus
Who praised God and said
Addressed their joyful song
With a joyful song they addressed Him:
"All glory be to God on high
"May all the glory be given to God in heaven
And on the earth be peace
And peace on earth
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
And kindly intentions from heaven towards men
Begin and never cease"
Shall begin and never stop"
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Glory
This is great
mariannenlawrence
That opening with the men....gives me shivers every time! Beautifully done! This is one of my favorite choir pieces.
Aidan LeBlanc
Well done, good sir.If you would, tell your choir that a random high schooler on the internet appreciates their music.
PTSuperman
Hahaha! I will most definitely tell them. I'm sure they will appreciate and be grateful for your well wishes.
1blondidea
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!!
Juliana Helwig
We are singing this song at church at our midnight Christmas Eve service, and when I heard it as a hymn I thought we will all be asleep... however, hearing it sung by this magnificent choir and the arrangement... I have fallen in love with the way it is sung here. I wish we could hear it this way, but we are a small church and it will be sung as a carol... Love this Choir and Orchestra.
Lynne Gackle
Is it possible to get a copy of this orchestration?
PTSuperman
Martha Lynne Gackle contact me through www.houseofelmusic.com
Shawn LeMon
Beautiful arrangement and beautifully performed.
Andrew Hogarth
beautiful..... just beautiful