How Great Our Joy

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

Refrain

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.

Refrain

There shall the Child lie in a stall,
This Child who shall redeem us all.

Refrain

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

Refrain

Author: Unknown

Year: 1623

This is a traditional German carol ('In dulci jubilo' variant or 'While by the sheep we watched at night') from the early 17th century. The English translation is most commonly attributed to Theodore Baker (1851–1934), but the original author of the German text remains unknown.