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 the 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