This song was first made known by the Copper family (seen in the video) who released a recording of the traditional Christmas song on a 1971 recording A Song For Every Season. It is supposed to have originated in the area of Sussex, but there isn’t much research into the history of this lovely carol with some similarity to the shape-note/Sacred Harp tradition found in the United States.

A very Merry Christmas to you all!

Shepherds Arise/Sing, Sing All Earth

Shepherds arise, be not afraid, with hasty steps repair,
To David’s City sin on earth,*
With our blest infant there. x3

Sing, sing all earth! Sing sing all earth, eternal praises sing!
(To our redeemer) to our redeemer and our heavenly King.

Laid in a manger, view the Child. Humility divine.
Sweet in our senses, meek and mild
Grace in his features shines! x3

For us the Savior came on earth. For us His life he gave.
To save us from eternal death,
And to raise us from the grave. x3

*There is some confusion and discussion over this line. Many sources now believe this line is more properly “See the maid” as maid and afraid rhyme, and the sentence “See the maid with our blest infant there” makes grammatical sense.