Shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:8
Words: S. Ojima. Translated from Japanese to English by Kate I. Hansen. In the refrain, Kooreesoomahsoo is Japanese for Christmas.
Music: Composer unknown (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know the composer, Ojima’s full name, or where to get a good picture of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Lowly shepherds of Judea,
On a winter’s night,
Heard a sound of angel voices,
Saw a wondrous light.
Refrain
O, merry, merry, merry,
Koo-ree-soo-mah-soo!
Let us all be very merry,
Koo-ree-soo-mah-soo!
Eastern wise men seeking Jesus,
Traveling from afar,
Just like us were filled with gladness,
When they saw His star.
Refrain
Friends today are keeping Christmas,
In America,
Brothers, sisters, singing with us,
Down in Africa.
Refrain
Transliteration of the Japanese:
Yoodahyah no hetsoo jee woe,
Kohoh hetoe moh,
Nohdohkahnee eewahee nok,
Kohe woe ta te.
Nan daka oohrashee
Kooreesoomahsoo,
Wahrarah moureshee,
Kooreesoomahsoo.