Advent Hymn #5: Shepherd's Hymn

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I didn't realize how fond of the shepherds was CW until working with this text and noticing the ones around it. It seems that all of his songs claim solidarity with these "regulars." You do get the vague sense that Charles saw shepherds as somehow lowlier than himself, "even shepherds..." is the usual context. But if we strip away what might be latent class-ism, we get song texts about the moment when God's angels make the announcement of Jesus' birth to the most normal of folk.

Shepherds' Hymn
words by Charles Wesley, music by Carl Thomas Gladstone

News they bring us of salvation,
Sounds of joy
To employ
Every tongue and nation, and nation
Every tongue and nation.

Welcome tidings! To retrieve us
From our fall,
Born for all,
Christ is born to save us, to save us
Christ is born to save us.

Simple shepherds us God raises,
Bids us sing,
Christ the King
And show forth his praises, his praises
And show forth his praises

Sing we with the host of heaven,
Reconciled,
By a child,
Who to us is given, is given
Who to us is given.

Glory be to God the giver,
Peace and love
From above
Reign on earth for ever, for ever
Reign on earth for ever, for ever
Reign on earth for ever, for ever
Reign on earth for ever.