WORDS: NAHUM TATE MUSIC: TUNE – WINCHESTER OLD, ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS ESTE ALTERNATE TUNE – CHRISTMAS, BY GEORGE F. How sad that this should be the life’s ending of someone who contributed so much to congregational singing in the Protestant Church! Let’s remember him for this familiar retelling in song of the story of the first Christmas. Unfortunately, Tate led a somewhat disreputable lifestyle and he died a drunkard in a debtors’ prison. He continued in this position into the reign of Queen Anne. In 1702 he was appointed Royal Historiographer. Nahum Tate was a talented playwright and poet, and in 1692 he was appointed Poet Laureate of England. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, the angel of the lord came down and glory shone around. Quite revolutionary changes to the style of hymn singing. The above carol, however, is the only song from that book still used today. The hymn book was called New Version Psaltery. Although the new hymns were opposed at first by some, they were soon given royal endorsement by William and Mary of England and gradually were accepted by congregations. They knew that many church members were displeased with the chant-style settings of Psalms, and so they wrote and published some hymns of their own. While shepherds watch watched their flocks by night. The author, Nahum Tate, worked with his friend, Nicholas Brady, to bring about quite revolutionary changes to the style of hymn singing used in their day – the 17th century. He had something of a very sad end, and died as an alcoholic. He was born and studied in Trinity College at Dublin. This is one of the oldest traditional carols that we sing today. The carol, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, was written by an Irishman, Nahum Tate. This will reinforce your ability so that it can be permanent, and will also decrease your need to hear your part in order to sing it.While shepherds watched their flocks by night Find some friends to sing a few other parts and see if you can hold it together a cappella. Print off the music ( click here for a printable PDF) and practice in a group.This means Jesus was born in the fall, not in December. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. The time of the year when shepherds and their sheep could enter and stay in these crop fields was the fall after the harvest when farmers invited the shepherds into their fields with their flocks so that the sheep can clean their fields by eating the straw. If you can sing your part while hearing the other parts too, you're ready to go sing in church. Luke 2:8-14 King James Version 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Get help from a musical friend if you need it. If you don't read music, just look at the words, listen to your part, and sing along. Learn it really well, so that you can sing your part with any of the verses. Listen to your part by eliminating all of the voices except the one you are singing.Some guys may actually want to sing the alto and soprano parts an octave lower. If you're having trouble with one, try a different one. Fear not said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind. If you're a guy you'll probably want to sing either the tenor or bass part. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. Start by taking a guess: if you're a girl, you'll probably want to sing either the soprano or alto part. 2 'Fear not' said he for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind 'Glad tidings of great joy I bring, To you and all mankind.
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