1 While shepherds watched their flocks by night
all seated on the ground,
an angel of the Lord came down
and glory shone around.

2 'Fear not!' said he — for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind —
'Glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind.

3 'To you in Bethlehem this day
is born of David's line
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,
and this shall be the sign:

4 'The heavenly babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all simply wrapped in swaddling clothes
and in a manger laid.'

5 Thus spoke the seraph, and at once
appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song:

6 'All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace!
Goodwill henceforth from highest heaven
begin and never cease.'