1 Softly upon Bethlehem’s plains
Falls the gentle dew of night;
Sweetly solemn silence reigns—
Earth how calm, and Heav’n how bright!
Every star shines out alone,
Looking down from Heav’n to earth;
Beautiful as first they shone
Radiant at Creation’s birth.

2 O’er the sloping mountain’s side,
Clustering flocks of sheep repose;
Watchful shepherds there abide,
Feed and guard them from their foes:
There they watch from evening’s ray,
Sleepless until midnight’s hush;
There in thoughtful musings stay,
Till the tears of twilight gush.

3 Happy shepherds! lift your eyes;
Eastward cast your glance afar;
See! what luster gilds the skies,
Lit by yonder signal star!
Slow descending from above,
See! an angel form appears!
God’s own messenger of love
Brings glad tidings to your ears.

4 See! he folds his snowy wings;
Heav’n in mercy stoops to earth;
Listen to the news he brings,
Tidings of Messiah’s birth!
Shout in triumph, earth and Heav’n,
Swell the song of sweet accord;
Jesus lives, "the Son is giv’n,"
Bow, and worship "Christ the Lord."

5 Multitudes of angels sing
Strains celestial, songs divine;
Glory to the newborn King!
Men may now with angels join;
Hallelujahs loud and long
Swell upon the shepherds’ ears,
Richer far than mortal song,
Or the music of the spheres.

6 Happy shepherds! let us go
Unto Bethlehem and see
God made manifest below,
Smiling on His mother’s knee.
Babe almighty! earth’s desire!
Heav’n’s anointed One art Thou;
Men and angels, son and sire,
Place the crown upon His brow.