The Cyber Hymnal ‎#1614

1614. The Friendly Beasts

1. Jesus, our Brother, strong and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around Him stood,
Jesus, our Brother, strong and good.

2. I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
I carried His mother uphill and down,
I carried His mother to Bethlehem town;
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

3. I, said the cow, all white and red,
I gave Him my manger for His bed,
I gave Him hay to pillow His head;
I, said the cow, all white and red.

4. I, said the sheep with curly horn,
I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm,
He wore my coat on Christmas morn;
I, said the sheep with curly horn.

5. I, said the dove, from the rafters high,
I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry,
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I;
I, said the dove, from the rafters high.

6. Thus all the beasts, by some good spell,
In the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel,
The gifts they gave Emmanuel.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus, our Brother, strong and good
• Title: The Friendly Beasts
• Author: Anonymous (12th Century)
• Translator (from French): Anonymous
• Meter: 77.77
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: ORIENTIS PARTIBUS
• Composer: Anonymous
• Meter: 77.77
• Incipit: 11231 27155 15633
• Key: F Major
• Source: Medieval French melody
• Copyright: Public Domain