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While Shepherds Watched Their Flock SATB
 
while shepherds watched their flocks

"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" set to Rachmaninoff's

Piano Concerto No. 2 (2nd Movement)

Luke 2:8-14

Rachmaninoff's piano concertos (especially his 2nd and 3rd) are something quite extraordinary. I've been in love with them since my teen years. The melody from his Concerto No. 2 (Second Movement) is so lyrical that it feels like it needs to be sung and not just played.  

When looking for a song or scriptural passage to fit this angelic music, I found the hymn "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" based on Luke 2. When the angels appear to the shepherds to announce the birth of Christ, they couldn't just tell them, they had to sing the glorious news. I picture those fields in Bethlehem filled with their voices:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

SATB

  • ACCOMPANIMENT TRACK (coming soon): SATB
VOCAL SOLOS

  • ACCOMPANIMENT TRACK (coming soon): Vocal Solo (High | Med | Low)
LYRICS

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
The angel of the Lord came down, with glory 'round. 
"Fear not," said he for mighty dread troubled their mind. 
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you, 
Tidings of joy I bring to you and all mankind, 
Great joy to you and all mankind. 
To you, in David's town this day 
Is born a Savior, Christ the Lord, a Savior born! 
This shall be a sign to you this day, 
The heav'nly Babe you there shall find, 
A babe all wrapped in swaddling clothes, 
And in a manger, wrapped and in a manger laid. 
Thus spake the angel, and forthwith, 
Appeared a heav'nly host singing,

“Glory, glory to God and peace on earth,
Good will toward men. Peace on earth.
A Savior born, Christ, the Lord!
 

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