Shepherd’s Pipe Carol
by Sir John Rutter
Going through the hills on a night all starry
on the way to Bethlehem,
far away I heard a shepherd boy piping
on the way to Bethlehem
Angels in the sky brought this message nigh
Dance and sing for joy that Christ the newborn King
is come to bring us peace on earth,
and He's lying cradled there at Bethlehem
Tell me, shepherd boy piping tunes so merrily
on the way to Bethlehem,
who will hear your tunes on these hills so lonely
on the way to Bethlehem?
None may hear my pipes on these hills so lonely
on the way to Bethlehem,
but a King will hear me play sweet lullabies
when I get to Bethlehem
Angels in the sky came down from on high,
hovered o'er the manger where the Babe was lying
cradled in the arms of His mother Mary,
sleeping now at Bethlehem
Where is this new King, shepherd boy piping merrily,
is He there at Bethlehem?
I will find Him soon by the star shining brightly
in the sky o'er Bethlehem
May I come with you, shepherd boy piping merrily,
come with you to Bethlehem?
Pay my homage too at the new King's cradle,
is it far to Bethlehem?
Angels in the sky brought this message nigh
Dance and sing for joy that Christ the infant King
is born this night in lowly stable yonder,
born for you at Bethlehem
I only recently discovered this song and wondered where it’s been my whole life! Why don’t we hear it more often? It’s wonderful!
Composer Sir John Rutter wrote Shepherd’s Pipe Carol (I believe the lyrics as well) when he was only about 21 and it’s the thing that first placed him on the musical map at that young age. He went on to an illustrious career, chiefly known for choral music, much of which is spiritual. At the age of 80, he seems to still be going strong.
One might call this carol genius, unique among Christmas songs, crisp and joyful (if performed right), yet still with poignant moments. You may notice each verse ends with “Bethlehem.” This is Hebrew (Ba-it Lechem), meaning “House of Bread.” Such was Divine Providence that the Bread of Life was born in Bethlehem!
”And Jesus said to them:
I Am the Bread of Life:
he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that
believeth in me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35