|
Joseph |
Take heart, the journey�s ended:
I see the twinkling lights,
Where we shall be befriended
On this the night of nights. |
|
Mary |
Now praise the Lord that led us
So safe into the town,
Where men will feed and bed us,
And I can lay me down. |
|
Joseph |
And how then shall we praise him?
Alas, my heart is sore
That we no gifts can raise him,
We are so very poor |
|
Mary |
We have as much as any
That on earth do live,
Although we have no penny,
We have ourselves to give. |
|
Joseph |
Look yonder, wife, look yonder!
A hostelry I see,
Where travellers that wander
Will very welcome be. |
|
Mary |
The house is tall and stately,
The door stands open thus;
Yet husband, I fear greatly
That inn is not for us. |
|
Joseph |
God save you, gentle master!
Your littlest room indeed
With plainest walls of plaster
Tonight will serve our need. |
|
Host |
For lordlings and for ladies
I�ve lodgings and to spare;
For you and yonder maid is
No closet anywhere. |
|
Joseph |
Take heart, take heart, sweet Mary,
Another inn I spy,
Whose host will not be chary
To let us easy lie. |
|
Mary |
O aid me, I am ailing,
My strength is nearly gone;
I feel my limbs are failing,
And yet we must go on. |
|
Joseph |
God save you, Hostess, kindly!
I pray you, house my wife,
Who bears beside me blindly
The burden of her life. |
|
Hostess |
My guests are rich men�s daughters,
And sons, I�d have you know!
Seek out the poorer quarters,
Where ragged people go. |
|
Joseph |
Good sir, my wife�s in labour,
Some corner let us keep. |
|
Host |
Not I: knock up my neighbour,
And as for me, I�ll sleep. |
|
Mary |
In all the lighted city
Where rich men welcome win,
Will not one house for pity
Take two poor strangers in? |
|
Joseph |
Good woman, I implore you,
Afford my wife a bed. |
|
Hostess |
Nay, nay, I�ve nothing for you
Except the cattle shed. |
|
Mary |
Then gladly in the manger
Our bodies we will house
Since men tonight are stranger
Than asses are and cows. |
|
Joseph |
Take heart, take heart, sweet Mary,
The cattle are our friends,
Lie down, lie down, sweet Mary,
For here our journey ends. |
|
Mary |
Now praise the Lord that found me
This shelter in the town,
Where I with friends around me
May lay my burden down. |
