The Friendly Beasts

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

“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown “

“I carried his mother up hill and down” “

“I carried his mother to Bethlehem town” “

“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown “

“I,” said the cow, all white and red “

“I gave him my manger for his bed” “

“I gave him my hay to pillow his head” “

“I,” said the cow, all white and red “

“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 “

“I,” said the dove from rafters high “

“I cooed him to sleep so he would not cry” “

“We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I” “

“I,” said the dove from rafters high “

Thus every beast by some good spell

In the stable dark was glad to tell

Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel

Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel