While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Piano and organ accompaniment for congregational singing, 6 verses.

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About this hymn

Nahum Tate's paraphrase of Luke 2 was for many years the only Christmas hymn allowed in the Church of England. It is sung here to CHRISTMAS, a tune adapted from Handel.

Words

Nahum Tate, 1700

Music

Adapted from George F. Handel

Tune

CHRISTMAS

Verses

6

Make it fit your service

• How many verses to play, from 1 to 6
• A short introduction, a full-verse introduction, a starting chord or a pitch pipe
• Piano, organ, choir voices, or any combination
• A slower or faster tempo, and a lower or higher key to suit your congregation
• An “Amen” at the end, a triumphant final verse, or a lift of a half step for the last verse

Connect your phone, tablet or laptop to the church sound system, tap Play, and your congregation sings While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks just as it would with a live pianist. Add Absent Pianist to your home screen and it works without an internet connection.

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