These days we have a wonderful array of hymns and carols to sing at Christmas. Imagine if there was only one!
Between the years 1700 and 1782, “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” was the only Christmas hymn authorized to be sung by the Anglican Church. Prior to 1700 only the psalms of David were permitted to be sung in church, and melodies had to be twisted around the words. Several writers worked at changing this tradition, and as England’s sixth poet laureate, Nahum Tate had more influence than many.
In 1696 Tate and Nicholas Brady (chaplain to King William II and Queen Anne) produced their New Version of the Psalms of David, adapting the psalms to make them easier to sing. The differences weren’t great, but this was still a momentous achievement for their time.
In 1702 Tate and Brady produced a supplement to their book that contained the hymn “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.” Based on the Gospel of Luke, it doesn’t vary greatly from Luke 2:8–14. Doubtless Tate did not want to be too revolutionary!
With music written from Handel’s 1728 opera Siroe, adapted by American composer Lowell Mason, “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” is the only composition from Tate and Brady’s supplement still sung today.
The son of an Irish vicar, Tate moved to London in an attempt to make a living as a poet. In becoming poet laureate he made it to the very pinnacle of his chosen profession. Unfortunately, he died at age sixty-three while claiming sanctuary in the Royal Mint, a man deeply in debt and pursued by his creditors. Thankfully he left this world a classic carol announcing the birth of “the heavenly Babe” before passing on to a realm where he would find that all his debts were already forgiven.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
PSALM 23:1–2