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...SHADOW-CASTING by JAMES GALVIN THE SEMANTICS OF FLOWERS ON MEMORIAL DAY by BOB HICOK LOVE'S TENDRILS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON PLEDGE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON OF JACOPO DEL SELLAIO by EZRA POUND THE LAST JUDGMENT by JOHN CROWE RANSOM |