Awake were they only
Those shepherds so lonely
On guard in that silence profound
When colour had faded
When night-time had shaded
Their senses from sight and from sound
//: Lo, then broke a wonder
Then drifted asunder
The veils from the splendour of God
When light from the Holy
Came down to the lowly
And heav’n to the earth that they trod ://
May light now enfold us
O Lord, for behold us
Like shepherds, from tumult withdrawn
Nor hearing, nor seeing
All other care fleeing
We wait the ineffable dawn
//: O spirit all-knowing
Thou source overflowing
O move in the darkness around
That sight may be in us
True hearing to win u
Glad tidings where Christ may be found ://