On the 8th day of Christmas
On the 8th day of christmas, we move back to something more traditional 'While Shepherds Watched'. This is the 8th carol in the countdown to Christmas. To get into the festive season tonight, you may want to watch Carols in the Domain on Channel 7.
5 things you may or may not know about 'While Shepherds Watched'
1. The words for While shepherds watched were written by Nahum Tate, who was the Poet Laureate
2. The familiar melody used for While Shepherds Watched was taken from "Siroe,"
3. Children love to parody the words “While shepherds watched their flocks by night” and replacing them with “While Shepherds wash their socks by night!”
4. It was the only Christmas hymn authorised to be sung by the Anglican Church; before 1700 only the Psalms of David were permitted to be sung
5. It is the only one of the sixteen works in the 1700 supplement to still be sung today.
While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
And glory shone around
"Fear not," he said,
For mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds
"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
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign
And this shall be the sign."
"The heavenly Babe
You there shall find
To human view displayed
And meanly wrapped
In swathing bands
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph,
And forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song
Addressed their joyful song
"All glory be to
God on high
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth
From heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease!"
while shepherds watched... - geisha