Lyr. Add: SHEPHERDS ON THEIR FLOCKS ATTENDING
(Regency carol, c. 1770)

Hymn CXIV. ....For Christmas

1.
Shepherds on their flocks attending,
Shepherds that in the Night-time watch'd,
Saw the Messenger descending,
From the Court of Heav'n dispatch'd,
Beams of Glory deck'd his Mission,
Burstin thro' the Veil of Night.
Fear possess'd them at the Vision:
Sinners tremble at the Light.
2.
Dove-like Meekness grac'd his Visage;
Joy and Love shone round his Head,
Soon he chear'd them with his Message:
Comfort flow'd from all He said.
"Fear not, Fav'rites of th' Almighty,
"Joyful News to you I bring:
"You have now in David's City, (David's)
"Born, a Saviour, Christ the King.
3.
"Go and find the Royal Stranger
"By these Signs. A Babe you'll see,
"Weak, and lying in a Manger,
"Wrapt and swaddled; that is He."
Strait a Host of Angels glorious
Round the heav'nly Hearld throng, (Herald)
Utt'ring in harmonious Chorus,
Airs divine; and this the Song:
4.
"Glory to our God be given
"By the radiant Hosts above;
"Peace on Earth to Men forgiven,
"Objects of redeeming Love."
Thus they sang with Rapture kindling
In the Shepherd's Hearts a Flame, (Shepherds)
Joy and Wonder sweetly mingling:
All Believers feel the same.
5.
Lo, sweet Babe! we fall before Thee,
Jesu! Thee we all adore.
Thine's the Kingdom, Pow'r, and Glory,
We'll proclaim it evermore.
"Glory to our God be given
"By the radiant Hosts above;
"Peace on Earth to Men forgiven,
"Objects of redeeming Love."

Copied without change from website. "From the collection of hymns, sung in the Countess of Huntingdon's chapel, pp. 156-8, 1770."

http://gemma.notzen.com/wiki.pl/Christmas_Hymns
Researching the Regency: Christmas Hymns
Regency Christmas Hymns