THE TUNE.
Dr. Dykes' “Oswald,” and Henry Smart's “Bethany” are worthy expressions of the feeling in Cawood's hymn. In America, Mason's “Amaland,” with fugue in the second and third lines, has long been a favorite.
“WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS.”
This was written by Nahum Tate (1652–1715), and after two hundred years the church remembers and sings the song. Six generations have grown up with their childhood memory of its pictorial verses illustrating St. Luke's Christmas story.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around.
“Fear not” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind,