Shepherds Night Watch Keeping

Words: M. E. Browne

Music: C. E. Deffell
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Source: Carol 713, Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)

1. Shepherds night-watch keeping
Many stars a-peeping,
Faintings hearts a-weeping,
All the world a-sleeping.
    Seraph songs a-singing,
    Bells in heav'n a-ringing,
    Angel Hosts a-winging,
    Great good news a-bringing.
    So it came to pass.
    Patris lenitas!
    Nati caritas!
    O redde gratias!

2. Happy night-watch keeping,
While the stars are peeping,
No more pain or weeping,
Christmas Eve a-keeping.
    Seraph songs a-singing,
    Bells in heav'n a-ringing,
    Angels swiftly winging,
    Great good news a-bringing.
    So it came to pass.
    Patris lenitas!
    Nati caritas!
    O redde gratias!

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