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Chords and Lyrics for While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

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Music by George Frideric Handel and Lowell Mason
Words by Nahum Tate

VERSE 1

D               A       G     D 
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,

              Em  D A 
All seated on the ground,

      D7  Em A7  G    D 
The angel of the Lord came down,

    G  D  G     D G D 
And glory shone around,

Em  D           A7 D 
And glory shone around. 

  
VERSE 2

 D               A   G   D 
"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread 

                     Em   D A 
Had seized their troubled mind; 

         D7   Em A7    G   D  
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring,

   G   D   G D  G D 
To you and humankind,

Em D         A7 D 
To you and humankind. 

  
VERSE 3

 D          A G     D 
"To you, in David's town this day,

             Em    D A              
Is born of David's line 

       D7   Em  A7 G      D 
The Savior, who is Christ the Lord,

    G    D     G  D   G D 
And this shall be the sign,

Em  D             A7  D 
And this shall be the sign: 

  
VERSE 4

 D            A    G   D 
"The heavenly Babe you there shall find 

              Em D A 
To human view displayed,

       D7  Em      A7 G    D 
All humbly wrapped in swathing bands,

    G  D G  D   G D 
And in a manger laid,

Em  D       A7  D 
And in a manger laid." 

  
VERSE 5

D              A  G    D  
Thus spoke the seraph, and forthwith

               Em  D A 
Appeared a shining throng

     D7   Em   A7  G    D 
Of angels praising God, who thus

  G       D     G  D   G D 
Addressed their joyful song,

Em D               A7  D 
Addressed their joyful song.

  
VERSE 6

 D         A  G  D 
"All glory be to God on high,

                 Em D A 
And to the earth be peace: 

          D7 Em  A7   G   D 
Good will to all from highest heaven

  G   D   G  D  G D 
Begin and never cease!

Em D         A7 D 
Begin and never cease!"

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Chords

Below is a list of all the chords in this song. Click on a chord to learn how to play the chord on a particular instrument.

Instrument Chords
Banjo A Major A7 D Major D7 E Minor G Major
Guitar A Major A7 D Major D7 E Minor G Major
Mandolin A Major A7 D Major D7 E Minor G Major
Piano A Major A7 D Major D7 E Minor G Major
Ukulele A Major A7 D Major D7 E Minor G Major