While shepherds watched their flocks
by night
all seated on the ground,
the Angel of the Lord came down
And glory gone around.

"Fear not," said he (for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind)
"Glad tiding 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;

"All glory be to God on high
and to the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven
to men
Begin and never cease."