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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

Sheet Music for While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Chords on this page may be simplified from the original version. View the sheet music for this title to see the original chords. The following sheet music is available for this title: