The most famous version is from Michael Praetorius, Musae Sioniae (1607), with the German text "Den die Hirten lobeten sehre.

"[2] Quem pastores laudavere, quibus angeli dixere, absit vobis iam timere, natus est rex gloriæ.

Ad quem reges ambulabant, Aurum, Thus, Myrrham portabant, immolabant haec sincere, leoni victoriae.

Christo regi Deo nato Per Mariam nobis dato merito resonat vere dulci cum melodia.

Shepherds left their flocks a-straying, God's command with joy obeying, When they heard the angel saying: "Christ is born in Bethlehem."