Catholic Activity: Christmas Folk Song: Shepherds, Up!

On Christmas morning, the father of the family awakens and sings this traditional Austrian carol, only sung once a year, to wake the other members of the family. The family gathers and sings verse after verse—each verse a tone higher—until everyone is awake.

DIRECTIONS

Shepherds, up, your watch to take!
Your time of sleep is ending,
For the Good Shepherd is awake,
His earthly flock attending.

Refrain: Haste to the manger, to Mary, so mild,
Come and adore Him, the heavenly Child! (Repeat refrain)

Activity Source: Around the Year with the Trapp Family by Maria Augusta Trapp, Pantheon Books Inc., New York, New York, 1955