Come and Join the Celebration (See the shepherds hurry down to Bethlehem)

This is a children's song for Christmas Day, which is is loosely based on Luke 2:15-18.

It was written by English Anglican medical secretary, organist and hymn-writer Valerie Collison (b 1933), and first published in Carols for Children (1972).

It is now included in various mainstream hymnals including:
and these are the best sources of sheet music for the song.

The song is now widely used in primary schools, and also at Christmas Day church-services for families with young children.

With meter 11 14 and refrain, the tune it is set to, also by Collison, is simply called CELEBRATION.


 Adoración de los pastores / The Adoration of the Shepherds - Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682) (ref)


Downloads

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Examples

Children's choir with band (professional recording), with on-screen lyrics:


Rock-style soloist:


Children's group doing actions, piano backing:


And another one, with enthusiastic clapping:


Instrumental version - played on the euphonium:


Backing track (lyrics on screen, keyboards accompaniment, no vocals):


Lyrics

The words are copyright - a copy can be found here compliments of the BBC.  

The song starts with a chorus, which is repeated after each of the three verses.  A rough outline is:
Chorus:
Come and join the celebration,
It’s a very special day.
Come and share our jubilation;
There’s a new King born today.

1. See the shepherds
... At the Son of God who lay before them.

2. Wise men journey,
... Bringing precious gifts from lands afar.

3. God is with us,
... All the bells on earth are pealing.

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KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
Chorus:
Come and join the celebration,
It's a very special day;
come and share our jubilation,
there's a new King born today!


See the shepherds
hurry down to Bethlehem;
gaze in wonder
at the Son of God who lay before them.


Wise men journey,
led to worship by a star,
Kneel in homage,
bringing precious gifts from lands afar, so…


'God is with us'
'round the world the message bring;
He is with us,
'Welcome!' all the bells on earth are pealing.


Come and join the celebration,
It's a very special day;
come and share our jubilation,
there's a new King born today!
there’s a new king born today!

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