Apparently there is a Dorset version of Shepherds Arise which, to my mind, has much more sensible words in line 3 - and they rhyme! It goes:

Shepherds, arise, be not afraid
With hasty steps repair
To Bethlehem city - see the maid
With her blest Infant there.

This is version sung by Tim Laycock & the New Scoprion Band in The Carnal And the Crane, 2001. Lyrics written out with references,(!)at

http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/shepherds_arise_be_not_afraid.htm

This http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/ is a site I hadn't seen before yesterday. Looks jolly good!