The Friendly Beasts

The Friendly Beasts

(Summary:  In this twelfth-century carol, the animals present at Jesus’ birth express their roles and contributions. The donkey carried Mary, the cow offered its manger, the sheep provided wool for a blanket, and the dove sang to comfort the Baby. They joyfully recount the gifts they gave to Immanuel.)

Twelfth-Century Carol

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 her safely 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 the rafters high,

“Cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I,

We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I;

I,” said the dove, from the rafters high.

And every beast, by some good spell,

In the stable dark was glad to tell,

Of the gift he gave Immanuel,

The gift he gave Immanuel.