While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
My friend and I perform each year at our Christmas Concert. There isn't much written for two sopranos, so I wrote this new setting of an old text to fit our high ranges. It's a lot of fun to sing!
At the request of another choir director, I re-arranged this setting for SATB in time for Christmas 2012. I also added a piano reduction of the choral parts from measure 73 to the end to aid the accompanist during early rehearsals*.
~Rachel
Voicing: Two high voices or SATB
Accompaniment: Piano
Topics: Christmas
Text: Nahum Tate (1703)
Music: Rachel P. Mohlman
Lyrics
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 minds.
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind."
Gloria!
“To you, in David’s town, this day
Is born of David’s line
A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign:
“The heav'nly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.”
Gloria!
Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:
“All glory be to God on high,
And to the Earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from Heav'n to men
Begin and never cease, never cease!
Gloria!