The Friendly Beasts
c 1200 · Traditional
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 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, all the beasts, by some good spell
In a stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel
Jesus, our Brother, strong and good
