At the heart of the Minster Choir's work is the singing of the daily servic… Read Full Bio ↴At the heart of the Minster Choir's work is the singing of the daily services. Today's Choir sings eight services each week. Since 1997 there has been a treble line of girls, who rehearse and perform separately from the boys. Most of the services are sung either by the boys and men or the girls and men. All the Choristers attend the Minster School, a day preparatory school, and they have a daily practice at 8.15 each morning. The Songmen of the choir are all professional singers and join the choristers each day for a rehearsal before Evensong.

As well as its work in the Minster, the Choir has toured extensively, both in England and abroad. The Choir performs frequently on Radio and Television and has a number of commecial recordings to its credit. The Choir also pays termly visits to churches in the Diocese of York.

While shepherds watched
York Minster Choir Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

While Shepherds watch their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone arond
Fear not, said he for mighty dreadhad 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
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 neatly wrapped in swathing bands
And in a manger laid
Thus speak the seraph and forth-with
Appeared a shiny 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 hence-forth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease

Overall Meaning

The song "While Shepherds Watched" is an English Christmas carol, first published in 1700. The song depicts the story of the shepherds who were guarding their flocks on the night of Jesus Christ's birth when they were visited by an angel of the Lord, bringing the good news of Christ's birth. The angel then tells the shepherds to not be afraid and that it is great news for all mankind. The shepherds are then informed that the Savior, who is Christ the Lord, has been born in the town of David, and they will find him lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes.

The angels then appear in a shining throng, joyfully praising God and declaring peace and goodwill to all men. This song, with its simple yet profound lyrics, beautifully conveys the essence of the Christmas story and brings comfort and peace to those who sing it. It celebrates the birth of Christ and reminds us of the message of peace, goodwill, and hope that Jesus brought into the world.

Line by Line Meaning

While Shepherds watch their flocks by night
Shepherds were keeping an eye on their sheep during the night

All seated on the ground
They were sitting on the ground

The angel of the Lord came down
An angel from God came down to them

And glory shone arond
A bright light filled the area

Fear not, said he for mighty dreadhad seized their troubled mind
The angel told them not to be afraid even though they were scared

Glad tidings of great joy I bring
The angel brought good news that would bring happiness

To you and all mankind
Everyone would be affected by this news

To you in David's town this day
The baby was born on this day in David's town

Is born of David's line
The baby is from the family of David

The Savior who is Christ the Lord
The baby is the Savior who is also called Christ the Lord

And this shall be the sign
There will be a sign to let them know