Hymn story, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by book of Bible This hymn was written by Nahum Tate (1652-1715) and Nicholas Brady (1659-1726). Tate was the son of an Irish clergyman, who fancied himself a bit of a poet. The son, Nahum, became an accomplished poet, and was appointed Poet Laureate of England by King William III. He wrote not only as a poet but as a playwright, and many of his works were produced onstage. He is reputed to have been a drunkard and spendthrift who died in poverty. Brady was an Anglican clergyman and poet who supported the Revolution of 1688, which brought King William III to the throne. Tate and Brady collaborated on a Psalter entitled New Version of the Psalms of David, which they published in 1696 to replace an earlier Psalter that had been published by Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins in 1562.

The Psalter by Tate and Brady was adopted by the Anglican Church, and endured as the standard work for the singing of psalms for more than a century. Tate and Brady published a supplement to their Psalter in 1700. That supplement included this carol, “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.” This carol is based, not on a psalm, but on Luke 2:8-14—Luke’s Christmas story. The tune, “Harmonia Sacra,” is an adaptation of an aria from George Frederick Handel’s opera, Siroe. Hymn story, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by book of Bible This hymn was written by Nahum Tate (1652-1715) and Nicholas Brady (1659-1726). Tate was the son of an Irish clergyman, who fancied himself a bit of a poet. The son, Nahum, became an accomplished poet, and was appointed Poet Laureate of England by King William III. He wrote not only as a poet but as a playwright, and many of his works were produced onstage.

He is reputed to have been a drunkard and spendthrift who died in poverty. Brady was an Anglican clergyman and poet who supported the Revolution of 1688, which brought King William III to the throne. Tate and Brady collaborated on a Psalter entitled New Version of the Psalms of David, which they published in 1696 to replace an earlier Psalter that had been published by Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins in 1562. The Psalter by Tate and Brady was adopted by the Anglican Church, and endured as the standard work for the singing of psalms for more than a century. Tate and Brady published a supplement to their Psalter in 1700. That supplement included this carol, “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.” This carol is based, not on a psalm, but on Luke 2:8-14—Luke’s Christmas story. The tune, “Harmonia Sacra,” is an adaptation of an aria from George Frederick Handel’s opera, Siroe. While shepherds watched their flocks - Hymnary.org Log in to make the most of Hymnary.org collections.

While shepherds watched their flocks Contents 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 David's town, this day is born of David's line a Savior, 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 angel. Suddenly 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; to those on whom his favor rests goodwill shall never cease." All full texts • Compare texts ^ top Author: Nahum Tate Nahum Tate was born in Dublin and graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, B.A. 1672. He lacked great talent but wrote much for the stage, adapting other men's work, really successful only in a version of King Lear.

Although he collaborated with Dryden on several occasions, he was never fully in step with the intellectual life of his times, and spent most of his life in a futile pursuit of popular favor. Nonetheless, he was appointed poet laureate in 1692 and royal historiographer in 1702. He is now known only for the New Version of the Psalms of David, 1696, which he produced in collaboration with Nicholas Brady. Poverty stricken throughout much of his life, he died in the Mint at Southwark, where he had taken refuge from his creditors… Go to person page > While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground Title: While shepherds watched their flocks Author: st. 5 = Luke 2:13 st. 6 = Luke 2:14 The story of the shepherds and the angels is told in this famous paraphrase of Luke 2:8-14 by Nahum Tate (b. Dublin, Ireland, 1652; d. Southwark, London, England, 1715).

It was first published in 1700 in a supplement to the New Version of the Psalms by Tate and Nicholas Brady. Tate's straightforward telling of the nativity story is an example of paraphrasing at its best: poetry that conveys the text well without undue liberties or additions and is easy to understand and sing. Adopted by virtually all hymnals since its writing, this narrative song simply tells the Christmas gospel as the shepherds heard it. A similarly narrative song based on the same gospel text is at 339. Although born in Ireland, Tate spent all of his adult life in London, where he was known primarily as a playwright and poet. Most of his dramas were not original plays but adaptations of the works of others. Honored by being named poet laureate in 1692, Tate wrote poetry celebrating important national events. He was also appointed the official royal historian in 1702.

Intemperate throughout his life, Tate died while living at the Suffolk House, a refuge for debtors in London, In the history of church music Tate and Brady are known for their New Version (1696), which replaced the "Old Version" of Sternhold and Hopkins published by John Day in 1562. Reprinted frequently and supplemented with some hymns, the new versification became the standard psalter of the Church of England and influenced psalmody well into the nineteenth century. Liturgical Use: Christmas; stanza 5 makes an excellent doxology for the two Sundays following Christmas. --Psalter Hymnal Handbook ========================== While shepherds watched their flocks by night. N. Tate. [Christmas.] Appeared in the Supplement to the New Version, in 1702, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, and in all later editions of the same. In full, or in an abbreviated form, it is found in most hymn-books in English-speaking countries. Original text in the Hymnal Companion. In addition to the original, two additional versions are in common use:— 1. While humble Shepherds watched their flocks.

This was given in the 1745 Draft of the Scottish Translations and Paraphrases, the opening stanza reading:— "While humble Shepherds watch'd their Flocks in Bethleh'ms Plains by Night, An Angel sent from Heav'n appear'd and fill'd the Plains with Light." The alterations were confined to this stanza. On its adoption in the revised Draft of 1751, and again in the authorized issue of the Translations and Paraphrases, 1781, the concluding lines of the last stanza read:— Goodwill is shewn by Heav'n to men, and never more shall cease." This arrangement of the text has been in common use for more than 100 years. 2. On Judah's plains as Shepherds kept. This is found in one or two American collections only. The original has been translated into several languages. Those in Latin include; (1) "Pastorum in pecudes noctu vigilante catervâ," by Lord Lyttelton, 1866; and (2) "Noctivagos. acclinis humo, pastoria pubes," by C. S. Calverley, both in L.

C. Biggs's annotated edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1867; (3) "Oves dum custodientes," by R. Bingham, in his Hymnologia Christiana Latina, 1871; and (4) "Pro grege Pastores vigilabant nocte silenti," by Bishop Wordsworth (St. Andrews) in his Series Collectarum, &c, 1890. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) WINCHESTER OLD WINCHESTER OLD is a famous common-meter psalm tune, presumably arranged by George Kirbye (b. Suffolk, England, c. 1560; d. Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England, 1634) from a melody in Christopher Tye's Acts of the Apostles and published in T. Este's The Whole Book of Psalmes (1592) set to Psalm 84. Ki… Scores This rendering of the shepherds' story from Luke 2 is based directly on the account as given in the King James Version of the Bible.

Nahum Tate versified it in 1700 and included a few extra details to accentuate some of the facts. While Luke wrote only that Christ was born “in the city of David” (Luke 2:11), Tate emphasized Christ's title “Son of David” in the third stanza – “in David's town … of David's line.” The public ministry of Jesus is also foreshadowed in the fourth stanza; where Luke wrote “Ye shall find the babe” (Luke 2:12), Tate wrote “The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed.” Text: This paraphrase of the story of the shepherds and angels from Luke 2 first appeared in A Supplement to the New Version of Psalms by Nicholas Brady and Nahum Tate in 1700. It is usually ascribed solely to Tate, though it may have been written as a collaboration. There are six stanzas, but some hymnals omit the fifth (“Thus spake the seraph and forthwith”). The first and fifth stanzas, as well as the first half of the second, are narrative and describe the appearance of the first angel and then of the host of angels.

A paraphrase of the first angel's speech to the shepherds takes up the second, third, and fourth stanzas. The sixth is a doxological version of the song of the host of angels, with some variance in the wording of the second half between different hymnals. Tune: Tate and Brady indicated that their text was to be sung to ST. JAMES, though this recommendation has been ignored. Many old American hymnals used SHERBURNE, but that has also fallen into disuse. Two tunes are commonly used with this text – often both in the same hymnal: WINCHESTER OLD and CHRISTMAS. When this text is sung to CHRISTMAS, the last line of each stanza must be repeated for the text to fit the music. This tune is also named SIROË because it was adapted from an aria in the 1728 opera Siroë by George F. Handel. This melody was first published as a hymn tune in S. Arnold and J. W. Callott's The Psalms of David for the use of Parish Churches in 1791.

WINCHESTER OLD most likely was adapted by George Kirby in 1592 from Christopher Tye's Acts of the Apostles of 1553, and was published with Psalm 84 in Thomas East's Whole Booke of Psalmes, where it was named SUFFOLK. In Thomas Ravenscroft's 1621 Whole Booke of Psalms, it was named WINCHESTER, after an English cathedral, even though that place had nothing to do with the composition of the tune. Nevertheless, the name has persisted ever since, and it became WINCHESTER OLD to distinguish it from WINCHESTER NEW by Bartholomäus Crasselius. When/Why/How: This hymn is a well-known Christmas song, and can be sung in narrative fashion, with a soloist or group singing the narration, another soloist representing the first angel, and the entire assembly joining on the final stanza to represent the host of angels. The third carol medley in “Follow the Star, Follow the King” features a combination of Tate's hymn set to WINCHESTER OLD with two other Christmas hymns in a narrative function.

“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” is a sprightly and varied handbell setting of CHRISTMAS. Through five stanzas, different musical techniques are used to keep the tune interesting. Tiffany Shomsky, Hymnary.org Poets Laureate of Great Britain Poets Laureate of Great Britain Poets Laureate of Great Britain by J. Zimmerman Several of the other Laureates were famous poets, particularly Ted Hughes , Robert Southey , John Masefield , Sir John Betjeman , Cecil Day-Lewis , and the current Laureate, Andrew Motion . History and responsibilities. In Great Britain, the Poet Laureate is: The realm's official poet. A member of the royal household. Charged with writing verses for court and national occasions (such as for a Royal Wedding or the New Year). Awarded the position for life. Chosen by the British reigning monarch, from a list of nominees that the Prime Minister compiles after a poet laureate dies. Shortly after the 1668, the position became the Poet Laureate of Great Britain in 1707, when The Act of Union created "Great Britain" as the political name of England, Scotland, and Wales.

The name Laureate derives from the Latin laureatus ("crowned with laurel"). It comes from an ancient Roman tradition of honoring a person (especially a poet) who has shown excellence of achievement. The honor is signified by presenting the person with a wreath of laurel leaves. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on the Poets Laureate of Great Britain. What does "Laureate" mean? Answer . Who was the best? Most frequently this is said to be Tennyson . John Dryden (1631-1700). Laureate 1668-88. Appointed in 1668 by King Charles II, who gave John Dryden a formal royal warrant that awarded him the official titles of Poet Laureate and Historiographer Royal. This role continued under King James II. As a powerful satirist, Dryden was a strong advocate and spokesman for his monarch, and "the best poet, dramatist, translator and critic of the age" [ Levin in Verses of the Poets Laureate] In 1689, sacked [or fired] by William III for failing to take an oath of allegiance.

Thomas Shadwell (1643?-1692). Laureate 1689-92. The successful dramatist Thomas Shadwell was chosen in large part because he was a Protestant Whig, essential to replace the Catholic Dryden. met an inglorious end in 1693, A weak poet, a heavy drinker, and an opium user, Shadwell died from an overdose of opium, which he took in part to relieve his gout. He was said to have found the laureateship unimportant. Disrespected by John Dryden , among others, for his poetry as well as for his politics. Shadwell wrote a yearly ode on the monarch's birthday, and introduced the tradition of writing a New Year ode; his odes are crashingly uninspired and mechanistic, as if written by an unusually dimwitted computer program. Nahum Tate (1652-1715). Laureate 1692-1715.

Born in Dublin, Tate was awarded the Poet Laureate position (and its £100 per year) but the post of Historiographer Royal (and its annual £200) became a separate assignment. Tate is most known today for his authorship of the widely loved Christmas carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night". He is notorious for his (creative?) revision of Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear, giving it a happy ending. In response to public events, Tate wrote poems for victories against the French (1704), the Act of Union between the Parliaments of England and Scotland (1707), and the signing of the Peace of Utrecht with France (1713). Nicholas Rowe (1674-1718). Laureate 1715-18. Nicholas Rowe was celebrated as a dramatist rather than as a poet. The Poet Laureate's role was now general praise of the sovereign, rather than political and historical. In addition to the annual New Year ode, the Laureate acquired the duty of writing a birthday ode to the monarch, a practice which was to last over 100 years.

Laurence Eusden (1688-1730). Eusden never published a book of poetry. His work is mediocre. Colley Cibber (1671-1757). The poetry of dramatist Colley Cibber was conscientious but not inspired. William Whitehead (1715-85). Laureate 1757-85. [The appointment was first offered to and declined by Thomas Gray.] William Whitehead (a respectable though perhaps dull dramatist) was good humored and amiable. For example, he defended the poetry of Laureates in a comic poem "A Pathetic Apology For All Laureates, Past, Present, And To Come". Whitehead was conscientious, and saw himself as a non-partisan spokesman for the whole country. Astonishingly for a political appointee, he appeared to see no requirement "to defend the King or support the government". Sadly, this reflects the idea that the Laureate's influence had weakened so much that the official poems were unlikely to influence opinions, even though the times were important politically, with rebellion in the American colonies and war in Europe.

Thomas Wharton (1728-90). Laureate 1785-90. Professor of Poetry at Oxford, Wharton was the only eighteenth-century laureate who was not primarily a dramatist. William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge admired his work. Henry James Pye (1745-1813). Laureate 1790-1813. Before Pye's appointment, the Sovereign or the Lord Chamberlain (a member of the Royal Household) awarded the Poet Laureateship directly. William Pitt (the first Prime Minister involved in appointing a Laureate) offered the position to Henry James Pye, a politician more than a poet. Thereafter, the Prime Minister submits names for royal approval. Then the monarch commands the Lord Chamberlain to issue a warrant of appointment. Robert Southey (1774-1843). Laureate 1813-43. [In a bizarre double-offer the appointment was offered to two writers concurrently. Fortunately, Sir Walter Scott turned down the approach by Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool.] Robert Southey accepted the suggestion of the post from the Prince Regent.

When Scott declined the offer, he suggested Southey also, so the situation ended well. During Southey's tenure, George IV became monarch in 1820, and abandoned the requirement for regular odes to the monarch. William Wordsworth (1770-1850). Laureate 1843-50. William Wordsworth, at 73, was the oldest Poet Laureate to be appointed. He accepted the position on the agreement that he would not have obligations to write poetry on demand. Since Wordsworth, the job of Poet Laureate has been purely honorary, and appointees have been able to interpret the role as they wish. Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-92). Laureate 1850-92. [The appointment was first offered to and (to our benefit) declined by Samuel Rogers.] Alfred Tennyson raised the stature of the Poet Laureate hugely. His laureate poems include The Charge Of The Light Brigade (the suicidal charge by the Light Brigade down a valley at Balaclava during the Crimean war). Tennyson's death was mourned publicly by millions.

In respect, no appointment was made to the post of Poet Laureate for four years. Alfred Austin (1835-1913). A pompous man, least successful of the Poets Laureate. Robert Bridges (1844-1930). Uninterested in fame and praise, Bridges wrote little and destroyed his papers before his death. John Masefield (1878-1967). Laureate 1930-67. Born in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England, Masefield apprenticed to be a merchant marine officer. While training, he became ill in Chile, returned to England, then worked in factories and bars in the United States. In 1897 he returned to England, working on newspapers and his own writing (poems, stories, and plays). Masefield published his first volume of poems in 1902. He served during World War I in the Red Cross in France and on a hospital ship at Gallipoli. His simple and moving poems include the famous Sea Fever. Cecil Day-Lewis (1904-72). Laureate 1968-72.

Anglo-Irish Cecil Day-Lewis was a poet, critic, and educator who enjoyed the honor of being the Poet Laureate. A student at Oxford with Auden. A committed Communist though naive politically. Hi poetry are often romantic and melancholy. Also he wrote detective stories (using the pseudonym Nicholas Blake). Sir John Betjeman (1906-84). Laureate 1972-84. Born in Highgate (North London). Sir John Betjeman wrote humorous and accessible poetry. Betjeman commemorated royal events such as The Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. Ted Hughes (1930-98). Laureate 1984-1998. [Appointed on the refusal of poet Philip Larkin .] Born in Yorkshire. A fierce, sometimes ferocious, poet of the natural and the mythological worlds, of "the struggle in the soil as well as in the soul" [ Levin in Verses of the Poets Laureate] . Also authored poetry and plays for children.

Despite the "no obligations" clause, Hughes did write in commemoration of royal events, such as the christening of Prince Henry of Wales in 1985. Andrew Motion (1952-present). Laureate 1999-2012. Buy Verses of the Poets Laureate: from John Dryden to Andrew Motion , by Phillis Levin (Editor) and Andrew Motion (Introduction): describes and shows the work of the first 19 poets appointed as Poet Laureate since Charles II created the first in 1668. Andrew Motion, an acclaimed poet and biographer, teaches creative writing at the University of East Anglia. He promotes poetry among young people. His poems addressing many public events as well and royal occasions, including the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. A critic, and a free-form poet who interweaves the personal, the historical, the legendary, and the political. Carol Ann Duffy (1955-present). Buy Selected Poems by Carol Ann Duffy , first female Poet Laureate.

Carol Ann Duffy (poet, university professor, playwright, and freelance writer) is the first woman and the first Scottish-born poetry to be appointed Poet Laureate. She graduated with a degree in philosophy from the University of Liverpool in 1977. Her books like Feminine Gospels (2002) and Mrs Scrooge show her skill in long narrative poems, written in an accessible style and often including surreal imagery. Other work, like Rapture (2005) are poems of passion and love. She also writes poetry (such as The Hat, 2007) for children. Not-quite Poets Laureate of Great Britain. These poets were not Poets Laureate, for the reasons given. Ben Jonson (1573-1637), a playwright and poet, a volatile satirist of explosive temperament and "a great lover and praiser of himself", was not formally appointed as Poet Laureate. John Dryden was the first appointed Poet Laureate, as shown by the official royal record (starts in a new window). At best, Jonson was a "common law" poet laureate (as in "common law" husband).

Some believe Jonson to be the greatest English poet and dramatist of the seventeenth century. Many praise his charm and good humor. His vigor and productivity is clear. Jonson learned the trade of bricklayer, fought with English troops in Flanders, then returned to London to become an actor and playwright, a writer of masques (short pageant-like plays), and a tutor to Sir Walter Raleigh's son. In 1597 Jonson was imprisoned for involvement in the satire The Isle of Dogs, which authorities found seditious. He was tried for killing a fellow actor in a duel in 1598. Imprisioned for this, he converted to Catholicism to be spared death for murder. He was released provided that he forfeit all his possessions, and that he receive a felon's brand on his thumb. Charged with treason for his tragedy Sejanus, His Fall (1603) and then briefly imprisoned for views in Eastward Ho (1604), Jonson (a Catholic) was under deep suspicion after Guy Fawkes' Gunpowder Plot (1605). This situation may have motivated him, shortly thereafter, to reconvert to Anglicanism.

He did become court poet to King James I. One of Jonson's most famous poems, "To Celia", begins "Drink to me, only, with thine eyes...". Buried upright in Westminster Abbey, standing on his feet in the northern aisle of the Nave (and not in Poets' Corner) beneath the inscription "O Rare Ben Johnson" William Davenant, or Sir William D'Avenant. After Jonson's death, dramatist Davenant [D'Avenant] inherited Jonson's office and pension, again as an unofficial appointment. Links Poets Laureate of the United States of America . Books about the Poets Laureate of Great Britain. Buy Verses of the Poets Laureate: from John Dryden to Andrew Motion , by Phillis Levin (Editor) and Andrew Motion (Introduction): describes and shows the work of the first 19 poets appointed as Poet Laureate since Charles II created the first in 1668. Related Books.

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks | Celebrating Holidays Print This Page While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks This page includes a lyric video, a brief history, sheet music, and other resources for the Christmas hymn “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.” Enjoy! Enjoy this You Tube video with lyrics of “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”: History of “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”: Nahum Tate, the author of “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,” was the son of an Irish Protestant clergyman named, literally, Faithful Teate (Nahum altered his last name to Tate). Both of his grandfathers were clergymen as well. However, after graduating from Trinity College in Dublin in 1672, Tate decided to pursue a literary career. He moved to London and published his first book of poems in 1677. He began writing plays the following year. Though his first few plays were not successful, he found a treasure when he began reworking some of Shakespeare’s neglected plays. His version of King Lear, with a happy ending, was remarkably successful.

For 150 years, audiences preferred Tate’s version to the original Shakespearean tragedy. Tate continued to write plays and even wrote the words for a successful opera, Dido and Aeneas (1689). His contributions to the arts were so significant that in 1692, Tate was named poet laureate of England; he held this position for 22 years, serving during the dual reign of William and Mary (1689-1694), the sole reign of William (1694-1702) and the subsequent reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714). Tate’s next major literary contribution was for the Church of England. In collaboration with Nicholas Brady, a high-profile clergyman and royal chaplain, Tate produced A New Version of the Psalms of David (1696). For over a hundred years, the Church of England had been exclusively singing psalms for corporate worship, and this “new version” made a freer paraphrase of the psalms.

Despite the fact that the work was endorsed by church leaders, it proved to be controversial – often condemned for being too “gay and fashionable.” Regardless, with time, the new version came to be widely accepted, and Tate and Brady are credited with paving the way for men like Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley who introduced hymns for corporate worship. With the hymn “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” (originally titled “Song of the Angels”), Tate paraphrased something other than a psalm; he paraphrased a passage from the Gospel of Luke (2:8-14). This new hymn was one of 16 that appeared in the 1700 Supplement to the New Version. It was the only Christmas hymn to gain official approval in the Church of England until Charles Wesley’s hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” was added in a 1782 edition of the New Version. Tate showed unique genius in writing the lyrics of his Christmas hymn. Not only did he carefully paraphrase the biblical narrative of the angelic appearance to shepherds, he demonstrated great insight in selecting the passage. The Church of his day was exclusively singing psalms of David.

In a cautious attempt to introduce a New Testament hymn, Tate wisely chose a passage that drew a connection to David. Tate’s paraphrase of Luke 2:11 is: “To you in David’s town this day is born of David’s line the Savior who is Christ the Lord.” The long-awaited descendant of King David (Jesus) was born in the town of David (Bethlehem). Furthermore, Tate selected the biblical passage that recorded the first Christmas song in history — the “joyful song” sung by “angels praising God.” According the The New Oxford Book of Carols, Tate’s work is the first known and “one of the finest” hymnic descriptions of this great event. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night” was sung to a wide variety of tunes — over 100 have been identified in printed sources, and there were probably more. In the U.S., the tune most widely paired with Tate’s words is one adapted from a melody in the opera Siroë, King of Persia, composed by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) and first performed in 1728.

No one is certain who married the words and the music, but the editors of The New Oxford Book of Carols suspect it was an American composer by the name of Lowell Mason. Since the hymn beautifully retells the Gospel story about the first song to ever praise the birth of Christ, the tune is appropriately named “Christmas.” For more intriguing history on “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” (and 19 other classic Christmas songs), you can purchase our Christmas Songs eBook (only $2.99; use code “celebrate20” for 20% off). You can also download our free, complimentary Sheet Music for “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” (note that the sheet music uses a different translation for some of the verses than the lyric video). For additional resources (like original sheet music), visit Hymns and Carols of Christmas or Net Hymnal . This page was created by: Back to main Christmas Songs page or our 25 Days of Christmas Music page. We welcome your ideas! If you have suggestions on how to improve this page, please contact us . Information on this page was drawn from our featured Christmas book .

You may freely use this content if you cite the source and/or link back to this page. While Shepherds Watched While Shepherds Watched Cathédrale Sainte-Marie, Oloron 2015 While Shepherds Watched This carol was written in around 1700 by Nicholas Brady and Nahum Tate, who was Poet Laureate. The original tune came Handel's oprea "Siroe". It's also sung to a number of other tunes, including "On Ilkley Moor Baht'at". This is the Pentonville version written by William Marsh (c1780-1805) and arranged by Colin Douglas. While shepherds watched their flocks by night All seated on the ground (x2) The angel of the Lord came down And glory shone around Fear not said he for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind (x2) Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind To you and all mankind. To you in David's Town this day Is born of David's line (x2) A Savior who is Christ the Lord And this shall be a sign And this shall be a sign.

All glory be to God on high And to the earth be peace (x2) Goodwill henceforth from Heav'n to men Begin and never cease “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” | hymnstudiesblog “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” “WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS” “And there were…shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Lk. 2:8) INTRO.: A hymn which describes in poetic form the scene where the shepherds were abiding in the field keeping watch over their floc by night following the birth of Jesus Christ is “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.” The text was written by Nahum Tate, who was born at Dublin, Ireland, in 1652, the son of a minister in the Church of England named Faithful Tate (originally Teate) who also authored some religious verse. After graduating from Trinity College in Dublin, Nahum went to London, England, in 1668 to seek literary fame and wrote for the stage. Lacking much unique creative talent of his own, he mainly adapted the work of others.

Appointed poet laureate in 1692, his chief claim to fame was his collaboration with Nicholas Brady in the New Version of the Psalms of David in 1696, which was dedicated to King William III, with the first supplement in 1698. This Psalter was used for more than 200 years in the Church of England. Most all of Tate’s hymns in this collection have been forgotten except this metrical version of Luke 2:8-14, originally entitled “Song of the Angels, at the Nativity of our Blessed Saviour,” which was first published in the 1700 edition of Supplement (some sources give the publication date of the Supplement as 1702). This supplement contained metrical paraphrases of great Biblical hymns (Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc dimmitis); several medieval hymns (Veni Creator and Te Deum); hymns for morning, evening, and communion; and several metrical paraphrases of scripture passages other than the Psalms.

Although Tate was appointed royal historiographer in 1702, he failed to achieve financial success, and because of his own intemperance and carelessness, he was often in dire straits. His death occurred on Aug. 12, 1715, in the mint at Southwick, London, England, which was a refuge for debtors at the time. The Scottish Translations and Paraphrases of 1745 altered the opening stanza to read: “While humble Shepherds watched their flocks In Bethlehem’s plains by night, An Angel sent from Heaven appeared And filled the plains with light.” John Julian noted, “The alterations were confined to this stanza.” A couple of other Psalm paraphrases from the New Version, “Through All the Changing Scenes” (Psalm 34) and “As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams” (Ps. 42), have been included in some modern hymnbooks and are sometimes attributed as the work of Tate. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” has been set to many tunes.

One (Avon or Martyrdom) by Hugh Wilson has been used with many other hymns as well, including “That Dreadful Night” and in many of our books a metrical version of Psalm 143 beginning “When Morning Lights the Eastern Skies.” Another (Christmas) from George Frederick Handel, the one I grew up hearing with this text, has also been used with other hymn, especially in our books with Philip Doddridge’s “Awake, My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve.” Richard Storrs Willis composed the tune (Carol) now associated almost exclusively with Edmund Hamilton Sears’s “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” originally for Tate’s words. Still another tune (Prince of Peace) which can be used was composed by Newton W. Allphin (1875-1972). Apparently, he produced it for use with John Morison’s “To Us a Child of Hope Is Born” but it fits “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.” Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, the text appeared in the 1937 Great Songs of the Church No.

2 (with the Wilson tune) edited by E. L. Jorgenson; the 1940 Complete Christian Hymnal (with the Handel tune) edited by Marion Davis; the 1963 Christian Hymnal (with the Handel tune) edited by J. Nelson Slater; and the 1978 Hymns of Praise (with the Wilson tune) edited by Reuel Lemmons. Today it may be found in the 1971 Songs of the Church, the 1990 Songs of the Church 21st C. Ed., and the 1994 Songs of Faith and Praise (all with the Wilson tune) all edited by Alton H. Howard; and the 1986 Great Songs Revised (with the Handel tune) edited by Forrest M. McCann. Interestingly enough, almost all of our books that include the song have had only stanzas 1, 2, and 6 of it (The Complete Christian Hymnal added stanza 3). Allphin’s tune is used with “To Us a Child of Hope Is Born” in Howard’s Songs of the Church.

The song is a simple retelling of the Biblical account of how the angels appeared to the shepherds of Bethlehem to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. I. Stanza 1 says that the angel came down “While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around.” A. Shepherding was a very common occupation in first century Palestine, and Jesus used it to illustrate His relationship with His followers: Jn 10:11 B. The word “angel” means messenger, and God often used His spiritual hosts to deliver messages to certain people: Lk. 126 C. It is possible that on other occasions when angels appeared to people, the glory of the Lord, perhaps a special light, shone around: Lk. 2:9 II. Stanza 2 says that the angel brought them tidings of great joy “‘Fear not!’ said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind; ‘Glad tidings of great joy I bring, To you and all mankind.'” A. Quite often, the appearance of an angel brought a sense of fear or dread on people who saw them: Lk.

1:11-12 B. Therefore, it was frequently necessary for angels to tell those to whom they appeared to “fear not”: Lk. 1:13 C. This angel came to bring glad tidings of great joy: Lk. 2:10 III. Stanza 3 says that the angel pointed out that the Christ was born “‘To you in David’s town, this day, Is born, of David’s line, The Savior, who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign.'” A. David’s town, of course, was Bethlehem: Lk. 2:4 B. The One whose birth was being announced was of David’s line: Matt. 1:1 C. Peter also preached that Jesus was both Lord and Christ: Acts 2:36 IV. Stanza 4 says that the angel told them how to find the Babe “‘The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid.'” A. Jesus, while begotten miraculously, was a Babe, a child, born of woman: Gal. 4:4 B.

The sign for the shepherds was that they would find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes: Lk. 2:12 C. He would be lying in a manger because there was no room for Mary and Joseph at the inn: Lk. 2:7 V. Stanza 5 says that the angel was joined by the heavenly host “Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song.” (or, “Of angels praising God on high, Who thus addressed their song”). A. The angel who announced Christ’s birth is not specifically identified as a seraph, but we do know that seraphim were angelic like beings which are sometimes thought of as a particular order of angels: Isa. 6:1-6 B. Then with this angel there suddenly appeared a multitude of the heavenly host: Lk. 2:13 C. It appears that one of the functions of angels is to praise Christ: Rev. 5:11-12 VI.

Stanza 6 says that the angel and the heavenly host gave glory to God “‘All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace: Good will henceforth, from heaven to men, Begin and never cease!'” A. We should always seek to give glory, in the sense of praise and adoration, to God on high: Rev. 4:9-10 B. God wants there to be peace on earth, specifically His peace which surpasses all understanding: Phil. 4:7 C. This was the message that the angels brought to the shepherds: Lk. 2:14 CONCL.: Many brethren through the years have objected to including songs about the birth of Christ in our hymnbooks, either possibly believing that it is unscriptural to sing hymns that relate to the subject or, perhaps more likely, fearing that they will be thought of as “Christmas” carols and misused. However, while admitting the need for wisdom in how and when we might use them, I have never found any scriptural argument against singing songs related to the birth of Christ any more than those related to His life, death, resurrection, and second coming.

Many children’s Bible class teachers find that singing songs about the birth of Jesus helps children to understand the subject when it is taught in children’s Bible classes. Christ’s birth, while misunderstood and misapplied by many in the religious world, is certainly a Biblical subject, so there can be nothing wrong with being reminded of what happened “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.” Share this:

Question: Which poet laureate wrote “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”?
Answer: Nahum Tate