THE CHRISTIAN YEAR
![\new ChoirStaff <<
\new Staff { \clef treble \time 4/2 \key f \major \partial 1 \set Staff.midiInstrument = "church organ" \omit Staff.TimeSignature \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \override Score.BarNumber #'transparent = ##t
\relative c'
<< { f1 | a2. a4 g2 f | bes bes a1 \bar"||" \breathe \time 2/2 g \time 4/2 a2 c c b | c1 \bar"||" \breathe \break
a | d2 c bes a | g f e1 \bar"||" \breathe \time 2/2 a \time 4/2 g2 f f e | f1 \bar"|." } \\
{ c1 | f2. f4 e2 d | d f f1 | e | f2 e g g | e1
f1 | f2 f f f | e d cis1 | c | e2 d d c | c1 } >>
}
\new Staff { \clef bass \key f \major \set Staff.midiInstrument = "church organ" \omit Staff.TimeSignature
\relative c'
<< { a1 | c2. c4 c2 a | bes d c1 | c | c2 c d d | c1
c | bes2 a bes c | c a a1 | a | c2 a bes g | a1 } \\
{ f1 | f2. f4 c2 d | bes bes f'1 | c | f2 a g g | c,1
f | bes2 f d f | c d a1 | f' | c2 d bes c | f1 } >>
}
>>
\layout { indent = #0 }
\midi { \tempo 2 = 69 }](http://upload.wikimedia.org/score/j/z/jzmf25lupi1sfj3ogzp5aj22esp8sig/jzmf25lu.png)
Nahum Tate, 1652–1715.
WHILE shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The 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 David’s town 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 meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.’
5 Thus spake the Seraph; and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of Angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:
6. ‘All glory be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace;
Good-will henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease.’
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