Night had fall­en dark­ly
Over Ju­dea’s hill;
Shepherds watched in si­lence,
All the flocks were still;
Light dis­pelled the dark­ness,
Light, then day more fair,
Lo! a migh­ty an­gel,
Stood in glo­ry there.

Refrain

Long ago, long ago,
Came that an­gel bright,
Fear ye not! Fear ye not!
Rang across the night.
Long ago, long ago,
Over a bed of hay,
Angels fair, in the air,
Watched where Je­sus lay.

Shepherds of Ju­dea,
Watching flocks by night;
Patient, gen­tle watch­ers
Trembled at the light,
Trembled when the glo­ry
O’er the hill­side spread,
Trembled till the an­gel
Fear not, sweet­ly said.

Refrain

Hosts of shin­ing an­gels
Joined the her­ald bright;
Legions from the glo­ry,
Came that won­drous night—
Came with al­le­lu­ias,
For a Sav­ior born;
Came to tell the wea­ry
Of re­demp­tion’s morn.

Refrain