Story Behind The Song
Shepherds tell of the night when Christ was born
| Song Length |
3:46 |
Genre |
Unique - Holiday |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Joyful |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1800 - 1899 |
| |
Lyrics
Shepherd of Old
© 2012 Bruce Mills (SOCAN BMI)
O, shepherd of Bethlehem, what is thy name
Pray, tell me, what did you see there?
On Christmas ago when the baby was born
Say, what did you see on that midnight?
O, shepherd of old, were you out in the fields
Thy sheep gathered round for tending
Was there a great star from above shining down?
Did followers come from away lands?
Chorus
Angels did dance with the moon and stars
And strangers and wise men did come from afar
And heaven proclaimed with a beautiful song
When the saviour of mankind was born - in a manger, low
O, shepherd of Bethlehem, what is thy name
Pray, tell me, what did you hear then?
On Christmas ago when the baby was born
Say, what did you hear on that midnight?
O, shepherd, so humble and gentle thy nature
High in the hills of Israel
Was there a great choir of the heavenly host?
Did they sing their carols of Gloria?
Chorus
The angels did dance with the moon and stars
And strangers and wise men did come from afar
And heaven proclaimed with a beautiful song
When the saviour of mankind was born -
The bells of the village did waken the night
The ladies and gentlemen gladly rose
With children and animals, merrily went
Where the saviour of mankind was born - in a manger, low
O, shepherd of Bethlehem, why do you weep?
For Jesus shall lead all nations
The cross and the tomb shall not be His undoing
He shall reign ever and ever from Heaven
From low manger birth to a Kingdom