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 up­hill 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 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 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.

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.