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