While Shepherds Watched

Sung by the Copper Family on the Coppers at Christmas CD.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground, all seated on the ground,
The Angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around, and glory shone around,
And glory shone around.

Fear not, said He, almighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds, had seized their troubled minds,
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
To you and all mankind, to you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind.

To you in David’s town this day
Is born of David’s line, is born of David’s line,
A saviour who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign, and this shall be the sign,
And this shall be the sign.

The heavenly babe you there shall find,
To human view displayed, to human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathling bands
And in a manger laid, and in a manger laid,
And in a manger laid.

Thus spake the Seraph and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng, appeared a shining throng,
Of Angels praising God whom thus
Addressed their joyful song, addressed their joyful song,
Addressed their joyful song.

All glory be to God on high
And to the earth be peace, and to the earth be peace,
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease, begin and never cease,
Begin and never cease.