The Cyber Hymnal ‎#6027

6027. A Shepherd Band Their Flocks

1. A shepherd band their flocks are keeping,
And gentle lambs are sweetly sleeping;
When suddenly they all behold
An angel in bright robes, with harp of gold.

2. Glad tidings of great joy he bringeth,
The azure vault with anthems ringeth;
Immanuel awakes the song,
And countless hosts the glorious theme prolong.

3. To you, this day, is born a Savior,
Your Prophet, Priest and King forever;
All glory be to God, they cry;
All glory be to God, let earth reply.

4. On earth be peace with mercy blending,
Goodwill to men, and love unending;
Thus sweetly sing the angel throng,
And all the heav’nly host rehearse the song.

5. Through field and wood the song resoundeth,
O’er hill and vale the chorus boundeth;
Exultingly the echoes roll,
And hymns of triumph spread from pole to pole.

6. The shepherds view the host returning,
Their hearts with holy ardor burning;
To Bethlehem they wend their way,
Repeating with glad tongues th’angelic lay.

7. In haste they seek the heav’nly stranger;
They find the babe laid in a manger;
With wonder and with awe they fall,
And joyfully adore Him, Lord of all.

8. Now every voice with rapture swelleth,
For Christ the Lord with mortals dwelleth;
Let men and angels Him adore,
And shout their loud hosannas evermore.

Text Information

• First Line: A shepherd band their flocks are keeping
• Title: A Shepherd Band Their Flocks
• Author: Unknown
• Language: English
• Source: Carols Old and Carols New, by Charles Lewis Hutchins (Boston, Massachusetts: Parish Choir, 1916), numbers 4 & 413
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [A shepherd band their flocks are keeping]
• Composer: Michael Praetorius (1609)
• Incipit: 55312 34534 35532
• Key: G Major
• Copyright: Public Domain