Echo Carol

A song of calling and repeating the news of the Savior

Nach Friedrich von Spee composed this beautiful carol of repeating words — the trick is to sing the first part loud and the second part softly.

The echoing device in “While By My Sheep” is so effective that the title I came to know it by is Echo Carol. Yet the song should not be just regarded as a gimmick piece, for this sixteenth-century German folk carol is overall a very esthetic composition. It is one of the more superb members of a class of carols which must be categorized as being of the second level. In this case, second level refers to its degree of international recognition and not its artistic quality. If judged solely on its musical merit, it would surpass some of the first level or international class carols.

While by the sheep we watched at night,
Glad tidings brought an angel bright!

How great our joy! (Great our joy!)
Joy, joy, joy! (Joy, joy, joy!)
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
(Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!)

There shall be born, so he did say,
In Bethlehem a Child today.

How great our joy! (Great our joy!)
Joy, joy, joy! (Joy, joy, joy!)
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
(Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!)

This gift of God we’ll cherish well,
That ever joy our hearts shall fill !

How great our joy! (Great our joy!)
Joy, joy, joy! (Joy, joy, joy!)
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
(Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!)