Tune title: Old Foster

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Music by John Foster (1752-1822).
Words by Nahum Tate. 1700:

Verse 1.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The Angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around. 		Verse 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.
Verse 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.		 Verse 4.
The Heavenly babe you there shall find,
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands
And in a manger laid.
Verse 5.
Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God who thus
Addressed their joyful song. 		Verse 6.
All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Good-will henceforth from heaven to men,
Begin and never cease.