Hark, shepherd swains - Jeffreys, George

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"Christmas motet "for the nativity of our most blessed Saviour", written most probably for a one-to-a-part choir. The organ part lacks figuring in the manuscript source."

◈ Genre → Anthems ♬ Voicing → SSTTB ¶ Language → English

Parts 5

Instruments Basso continuo

Pages 14

CPDL # 67220

Editor Christopher Shaw

Posted 2021-12-24

License Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike

¶Lyrics / Text

Hark, shepherd swains, awake, Give ear and banish fear; Behold, good news I bring to you, Whence shall accrue great joy of heart To all that dwell in Israel. To you in Bethlem 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 mean-born king, Hark how my fellow 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 Alleluia".