O tell me, gentle shepherd,
Gentle shepherd, gentle shepherd,
O tell me what the angels sang
In the early Christmas morn.
O tell me what the angels sang
In the early Christmas morn.

O listen, happy children,
Happy children, happy children,
While I tell you what the angels sang
In the early Christmas morn.
“Fear ye not, I bring good tidings,
For today the Lord is born!”

O tell me, gentle shepherd,
Gentle shepherd, gentle shepherd,
What the great bright host of angels sang,
All out in the fields so still.
What the great bright host of angels sang,
All out in the fields so still.

I will tell you, Christian children,
Christian children, Christian children,
What the great bright host of angels sang,
All out in the fields so still:
“Glory in the highest, glory!
Peace on earth, to all goodwill!”

Let us keep, then, happy Christmas,
Happy Christmas, happy Christmas,
Children, shepherds, folks, and angels
All the blest song repeating still:
“Glory in the highest, glory!
Peace on earth, to all goodwill!”