Scripture Verse

Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2

Introduction

Words: Tra­di­tion­al Ger­man car­ol. Stan­zas 1–2 trans­lat­ed to Eng­lish by Theo­dore Bak­er (1851–1934).

Music: Tra­dit­ion­al Ger­man tune, ar­ranged by Hu­go R. Jüngst (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Bak­er (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Hugo R. Jüngst (1853–1923)

Lyrics

While by the sheep we watched at night,
Glad tid­ings brought an an­gel bright.

Refrain

How great our joy! Great our joy!
Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in Heav’n on high!
Praise we the Lord in Heav’n on high!

There shall be born, so He did say,
In Beth­le­hem a child to­day.

Refrain

There shall the Child lie in a stall,
This Child who shall re­deem us all.

Refrain

This gift of God we’ll cher­ish well,
That ev­er joy our hearts shall fill.

Refrain