Shepherds Rejoice
Two Christmas Anthems
(based on texts and tunes from The Sacred Harp, 1860)
for SATB choir, a cappella
To Brian Gorelick and the Wake Forest University Concert Choir (Winston-Salem, NC)
1.Shepherds, Rejoice! Lift Up your Eyes
To Barbara Beattie and The St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Choir (Winston-Salem, NC)
2.Christ Was Born in Bethlehem
by
Dan Locklair
1.Shepherds, Rejoice! Lift Up Your Eyes (L.P. Breedlove)
1. Shepherds, rejoice! lift up your eyes, And send your fears away;
News from the regions of the skies-“A Saviour’s born today!”
2. “Jesus, the God whom angels fear, Comes down to dwell with you;
Today he makes his entrance here, But not as monarchs do.
3. “No gold nor purple swaddling bands, Nor royal shining things:
A manger for his cradle stands, And holds the King of kings.
4. “Go, shepherds, where the infant lies, And see his humble throne!
With tears of joy in all your eyes, Go, shepherds, kiss the Son!”
5. Thus Gabriel sang, and straight around The heavenly armies throng;
They tune their harps to lofty sounds, And thus conclude the song:
6. “Glory to God that reigns above! Let peace surround the earth;
Mortals shall know their Maker’s love, At their Redeemer’s birth.”
7. Lord! and shall angels have their songs, And men no tunes to raise?
O may we lose our useless tongues, When they forget to praise!
8. Glory to God that reigns above, That pitied us forlorn!
We join to sing our Maker’s love, For there’s a Saviour born.
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2. Christ Was Born in Bethlehem (B.F. White; Tune : Floyd)
Christ was born in Bethlehem, And in a manger lay.
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Duration :
1. Shepherds, Rejoice! Lift Up Your Eyes = ca. 2 minutes
2. Christ Was Born in Bethlehem = ca. 3 minutes
Total duration of both anthems = ca. 5 minutes
D.L.
Winston-Salem, NC
January 1999