| |
| SING out, and with rejoicing bring | |
| Shepherds and neatherds to their King— | |
| Their King who lies in stable stall, | |
| With straw for all his plenishing; | |
| Who in His hands most weak and small | 5 |
| Doth hold the earth and heavens all; | |
| Sing loud, the Eve of Mary! | |
| |
| Bring in the soft ewes and their rams, | |
| And bring the little crying lambs; | |
| The stable’s wide enough for all. | 10 |
| Bring hither all the bleating dams, | |
| And bid them crouch around the stall, | |
| And watch the wonders that befall | |
| Earth, on the Eve of Mary. | |
| |
| This mother-maid with drooping head | 15 |
| Hath but a straw-heap to her bed, | |
| Yet, did she list, would angels come | |
| And make a palace of her shed, | |
| With myrrh and music bring Him home, | |
| ’Mid these glad months the one month dumb— | 20 |
| Here, on the Eve of Mary. | |
| |
| But rather would she lie below | |
| Thatched roof, and hear the north wind blow, | |
| And pattering footsteps of the rain. | |
| Ay, rather would she pay her throe | 25 |
| And take her joy; to quit all pain | |
| His lips are on her breast again— | |
| Sing low, the Eve of Mary! | |
| |
| Sing low, indeed; and softly bleat, | |
| Yon lambing ewes, about her feet, | 30 |
| Lest ye should wake the Child from sleep. | |
| No other hour so still and sweet | |
| Shall fall for Mary’s heart to keep | |
| Until her death-hour on her creep— | |
| Sing soft, the Eve of Mary! | 35 |
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