1. In the field with their flocks abiding, They lay on the dewy ground, And glimmering under the starlight The sheep lay white around, When the light of the Lord streamed o’er them, And lo! from the heaven above, An angel leaned from the glory And sang his song of love; He sang, that first sweet Christmas, The song that shall never cease, ’Glory to God in the highest, On earth goodwill and peace!’ 2. ‘To you in the city of David A Saviour is born to-day, And sudden a hot of the heavenly ones Flashed forth to join the lay, O never hath sweeter message Thrilled home to the souls of men, And the heavens themselves had never heard A gladder choir till then; For they sang that Christmas carol That never on earth shall cease, ’Glory to God in the highest, On earth goodwill and peace!’ 3. And the shepherds came to the manger, And gazed on the Holy Child; And calmly o’er that rude cradle The virgin mother smiled; And the sky, in the starlit silence, Seemed full of the angel lay, ’To you in the city of David A Saviour is born to-day O they sand and I ween that never The carol on earth shall cease, ’Glory to God in the highest, On earth goodwill and peace!’