Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NOEL by HILAIRE BELLOC

Poet Analysis

First Line: ON A WINTER'S NIGHT LONG TIME AGO
Last Line: AND THE SMALL CHILD JESUS SMILE ON YOU.
Subject(s): BETHLEHEM, PALESTINE; CHRISTMAS; SANTA CLAUS; NATIVITY, THE; NICHOLAS, SAINT;

On a winter's night long time ago
(@3The bells ring loud and the bells ring low@1),
When high howled wind, and down fell snow
(Carillon, Carilla).
Saint Joseph he and Nostre Dame,
Riding on an ass, full weary came
From Nazareth into Bethlehem.
And the small child Jesus smile on you.

And Bethlehem inn they stood before
(@3The bells ring less and the bells ring more@1),
The landlord bade them begone from his door
(Carillon, Carilla).
'Poor folk' (says he), 'must lie where they may,
For the Duke of Jewry comes this way,
With all his train on a Christmas Day.'
And the small child Jesus smile on you.



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