Original members were Norma Waterson, Mike Waterson, and Lal Waterson, with their cousin John Harrison from Kingston High School. They had a skiffle band in the early 1960s but moved on to playing more traditional material. They were briefly known as "The Folksons".
Their first album was Frost and Fire 1965 (awarded the "Melody Maker" Album of the Year, a rarity for a debut album) followed by The Watersons and A Yorkshire Garland in 1966. The Watersons split up in 1968 when Norma went to work as a disc jockey on a radio station on Montserrat.
The group reformed in 1972 with John Harrison briefly replaced by Bernie Vickers. He in turn was replaced the same year by Norma's husband, and respected folk singer in his own right, Martin Carthy. This lineup recorded For Pence and Spicy Ale (1975), Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy (1977), and Green Fields (1981).
Later lineups featured Mike Waterson's daughter Rachel Waterson, who briefly replaced Lal during a leave of absence caused by ill health in the mid-1980s, then continued to sing with the group on Lal's return.
Lal Waterson died in 1998 and by the early 1990s Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson and their daughter Eliza Carthy had formed the group Waterson:Carthy.
The Watersons gradually ceased to sing live on a regular basis but the family occasionally reconvened for special events and festival appearances. The most recent of these were A Mighty River of Song at the Royal Albert Hall on 12 May 2007, the BBC Electric Proms concert Once in a Blue Moon: A Tribute to Lal Waterson at Cecil Sharp House in London on 25 October 2007 and 'A Tribute to Bert,' a concert celebrating the life and work of Albert Lloyd, at Cecil Sharp House on the 15th November 2008.
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
The Watersons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around 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 and all mankind
To 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 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 and in a manger laid
Good will henceforth from heaven to men begin and never cease begin and never cease
The Watersons' version of the popular Christmas carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" beautifully captures the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The opening verse describes how the shepherds were watching over their flocks at night when suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a glorious light shone all around them. The angel tells the shepherds not to be afraid, for he brings good news of great joy for all people.
The second verse makes it clear that the angel's message is about the birth of the Savior, who is born in David's town of Bethlehem. This child is Christ the Lord, and the angel tells the shepherds that they will find him wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. The final verse brings the song to a close with the message that all glory belongs to God in the highest, and that his gift of peace and goodwill to all people will never cease.
Line by Line Meaning
While shepherds watched their flocks by night all seated on the ground
The shepherds were guarding their sheep at night while sitting on the ground.
The angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around and glory shone around
The Lord's angel descended from heaven, and a bright light shone around him.
Fear not said he for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind
The angel reassured the shepherds not to be afraid, as they were filled with fear.
Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind to you and all mankind
I bring you all wonderful and joyful news that will bring happiness to all people.
To you in David's town this day is born of David's line
Today, in the town of David, a descendant of David is born.
The Saviour who is Christ the Lord and this shall be the sign and this shall be the sign
He is the Saviour, who is known as Christ the Lord, and this is how you will recognize him.
The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed
You will find the baby, who has been sent from heaven, visibly displayed there.
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands and in a manger laid and in a manger laid
The baby is wrapped in simple cloth and lying in a manger.
All glory be to God on high and to the earth be peace
Let all honor and glory be given to God in heaven, and let peace come to earth.
Good will henceforth from heaven to men begin and never cease begin and never cease
From now on, good will come from heaven to people and will never stop.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL, NAHUM TATE, TOM HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind