Christmas Song Follies, day 2

[lumineaux]

"All glory be to
God on high
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth
From heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease!"

Edited to add: Thanks to a little Google-Fu, today's song has been correctly identified as "While Shepherds Watched." I prefer the alternate title of "Bethlehem," which is how I first learned it.


In other news, about 2" of snow with a delicate and ever-growing coating of ice on top of it. Delightful. :-(

Comments

Dec 3rd, after 1:41 :)

[rtropeano.livejournal.com]

While Shepherds Watched

While Shepherds watch their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone arond
Fear not, said he for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind

To you in David's town this day
Is born of David's line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign
The heavenly babe you there shall find
To human view displayed
All neatly wrapped in swathing bands
And in a manger laid

Thus speak the seraph and forth-with
Appeared a shiny throng
Of angels praising God who thus
Addressed their joyful song
All glory be to God on high
And on the earth be peace
Goodwill hence-forth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease

Re: Dec 3rd, after 1:41 :)

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

The song was composed by William Billings of Boston, MA (1746-1800). I have an awesome recording of this one (under the original title of "Bethlehem") by the Waverly Consort.

Re: Dec 3rd, after 1:41 :)

[rtropeano.livejournal.com]

I would love to hear it.

Re: Dec 3rd, after 1:41 :)

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

You can get an mp3 of it (or at least part of it) from their site: http://www.waverlyconsort.org/recordings/waverlychristmas.php

[ianraven.livejournal.com]

Nowell Sing We Clear does a right good version, too.