Long Ago

Night had fall­en dark­ly

Over Ju­dea’s hill;

Shepherds watched in si­lence

All the flocks were still;

Light dis­pelled the dark­ness

Light

then day more fair

Lo! a migh­ty an­gel

Stood in glo­ry there.

Long ago

long ago

Came that an­gel bright

Fear ye not! Fear ye not!

Rang across the night.

Long ago

long ago

Over a bed of hay

Angels fair

in the air

Watched where Je­sus lay.

Shepherds of Ju­dea

Watching flocks by night;

Patient

gen­tle watch­ers

Trembled at the light

Trembled when the glo­ry

O’er the hill­side spread

Trembled till the an­gel

Fear not

sweet­ly said.

Hosts of shin­ing an­gels

Joined the her­ald bright;

Legions from the glo­ry

Came that won­drous night—

Came with al­le­lu­ias

For a Sav­ior born;

Came to tell the wea­ry

Of re­demp­tion’s morn.