Before the paling of the stars Before the winter morn Before the earliest cockcrow 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPISODE OF HANDS by HAROLD HART CRANE MY AIN COUNTREE by ALLAN CUNNINGHAM A BOY'S SUMMER SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR TO AMARANTHA, THAT SHE WOULD DISHEVEL HER HAIR by RICHARD LOVELACE TO THE MEMORY OF THOMAS HOOD by BARTHOLOMEW SIMMONS VENICE by JOHN ADDINGTON SYMONDS |