Hark, shepherd swains (Anonymous, set by H. Lawes) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Hark, shepherd swains; awake, give ear, and banish fear.
Behold, good news I bring to you which shall make
Great joy of heart to all that dwell in Israel.

To you in Bethlehem there is born today
  A Saviour-Christ, the Lord whom heavens obey.

To try the truth, haste on, and ye the babe shall see.
Sweet babe, fair spark of heavenly light, so poorly dight
In clothing mean, most like a wretch, lodged in a cratch.

But now in honour of this man born king,
  Hark how my ellow soldiers sweetly sing.

All glory be to God above, whose gracious love
This prince of peace hath sent, whose birth brings peace on earth,
In whom by faith may all mankind God's favour find.

Now then both heaven and earth keep holy day,
  And jointly sing we all alleluja.

Authorship

Anonymous/Unidentified Artist

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

Henry Lawes (c1595-1662)

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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