While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Lyrics by Nahum Tate (1652-1715), Music by George F. Handel (1685-1759)
Source: The Christmas Caroler’s Book, 1935
In 1700 Tate and Brady published A Supplement to the New Version of the Psalms. This was a collecting of sixteen hymns for the Church of England. The only Christmas hymn included in the collection was Tate’s While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks. Curiously enough, it is the only hymn of the Supplement which is in use today.
Nahum Tate was a friend and literary associate of the poet Dryden. In 1690 the title of Poet Laureate was conferred upon him by King William III. Although this Christmas mhymn is not the best of his poems, all his contributions to the New Version of the Psalms were received with favor in England.
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks was originally written for one of the oldest and most beautiful of English hymn-tunes. The tune was first published in 1592 by Thomas Este, in his Whole Book of Psalms. It had long been a favorite when Tate wrote his verses for it. In England Este’s hymn-tune is known as Winchester Old.
There are two melodies for Tate’s hymn which are, perhaps, better known in America than Este’s hymn-tune. One is Willis’ carol-tune, It Came upon the Midnight Clear; the other is an adaptation from Handel, Ring Out, O Bells, Your Joyous Song. These may be used if preferred to the original, Winchester Old.
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind.
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
“To you, in David’s town, this day
Is born of David’s line
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign.
“The heav’nly babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapp’d in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.”
Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
Appear’d a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, who thus
Address’d their joyful song:
“All glory be to God on high,
And to the Earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men,
Begin and never cease!”
