Words: , Hymns for the Na­ti­vi­ty of Our Lord (Lon­don: Will­iam Stra­han, 1745), num­ber 1.

Music: Duke Street, at­trib­ut­ed to , 1793. Al­ter­nate tunes:

  • Ernan, , 1850
  • Federal Street, , 1832
  • Germany, Sac­red Mel­o­dies, by , 1815

Ye simple men of heart sincere,
Shepherds who watch your flocks by night,
Start not to see an angel near,
Nor tremble at this glorious light.

“A herald from the heavenly King,
I come, your every fear to chase;
Good tidings of great joy I bring,
Great joy to all the fallen race.

“To you is born on this glad day,
A Savior by our host adored;
Our God in Bethlehem survey,
Make haste to worship Christ the Lord.

“By this the Savior of mankind,
Th’incarnate God shall be displayed;
The Babe ye wrapped in swaths shall find,
And humbly in a manger laid.”