1 A band of herdsmen tarried late,
Through hours of night disconsolate;
Around, the snow lay glistening white,
And stars o’erhead were shining bright;
O favored shepherds, there shall rise
A brighter star in yonder skies.

2 Whence comes this glory, brighter far
Than light that shines from midnight star?
An angel from the Lord appears,
And lo! their minds are filled with fears;
O favored shepherds, wherefore fear?
The messenger of God is here.

3 O band of herdsmen, list! I bring
Glad tidings of a promised king;
Go, in a manger ye shall find
The new-born Savior of mankind;
O favored shepherds, such surprise!
To see the Christ in mean disguise.

4 Then stood the herdsmen all amaze,
For heaven with glory was ablaze;
And choirs of angels, clad in white,
Awoke with song the silent night;
O favored shepherds, ye were blest,
To hear that heavenly song expressed.

5 To God be glory, thus they sang,
While earth and Heaven with music rang;
And peace abounding henceforth dwell
With those on earth who please Me well;
O favored shepherds, night is past,
And morn, bright morn, is come at last.

6 O band of herdsmen, long ago,
That song was sung on earth below,
Now myriad hosts uplift the strains
That first awoke on Bethlehem’s plains;
O favored shepherds, round the throne,
The angel’s song is now your own.