The shepherds afar left their flocks by night 

Followed the new star by its heavenly light 

Did the lambs fear the wolves did they lay down and sleep 

Who kept the sheep who kept the sheep 

Did robbers not steal or did they fear the light 

That the shepherds had followed night after night 

Did they not stray did little lambs weep who kept the sheep who kept the sheep 

Under the new star the new Saviour lay in his dim manger he lay on the hay 

The shepherds that came had a vigil to keep 

But who kept the sheep who kept the sheep who kept the sheep who kept the sheep