The Friendly Beasts is sung to the medieval French melody ORIENTIS PARTIBUS. It’s a story about how the animals in Bethlehem were willing to sacrifice to make the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth easier.
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.
Church Calendar: Christmas
Hymn Tune: ORIENTIS PARTIBUS
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