A Christmas Carol

Before the paling of the stars,

Before the winter morn,

Before the earliest cock-crow

Jesus Christ was born:

Born in a stable

Cradled in a manger,

In the world His hands had made

Born a stranger.

Priest and King lay fast asleep

In Jerusalem,

Young and old lay fast asleep

In crowded Bethlehem:

Saint and Angel, ox and ass,

Kept a watch together,

Before the Christmas daybreak

In the winter weather.

Jesus on his Mother's breast

In the stable cold,

Spotless Lamb of God was He,

Shepherd of the fold:

Let us kneel with Mary Maid,

With Joseph bent and hoary,

With Saint and Angel, ox and ass.

To hail the King of Glory.