The Friendly Beasts
Embracing Love: The Symbolic Gifts to Emmanuel
Lyrics
Jesus our brother, strong and good
Jesus is referred to as a brother, symbolizing a close and relatable figure who is strong and good.
Was humbly born in a stable rude
Describes the humble birth of Jesus in a simple and unadorned stable.
And the friendly beasts around him stood
Depicts friendly beasts surrounding Jesus, creating an image of a harmonious and peaceful scene.
Jesus our brother, strong and good
Reiteration of Jesus being a strong and good brother, emphasizing his positive qualities.
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown
The donkey speaks, recounting its role in carrying Jesus' mother to Bethlehem, portraying a helpful and supportive role.
I carried his mother up hill and down
Highlights the donkey's dedication in carrying Jesus' mother uphill and downhill, illustrating a selfless act of service.
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town
Specifies the destination as Bethlehem, underlining the significance of the journey in the context of the nativity story.
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown
Donkey reiterates its shaggy and brown appearance, maintaining the focus on its humble and practical nature.
I, said the cow, all white and red
The cow speaks, offering its manger as a bed for Jesus, symbolizing a gesture of generosity and hospitality.
I gave him my manger for his bed
Explains the cow's contribution of providing its manger for Jesus to rest, showcasing an act of kindness.
I gave him my hay to pillow his head
Describes the cow giving its hay as a pillow for Jesus' head, emphasizing the comfort provided to the newborn.
I, said the cow, all white and red
Reaffirms the cow's identity as all white and red, maintaining the vivid imagery of the scene.
I, said the sheep with curly horn
The sheep with curly horn expresses its contribution of wool for Jesus' warm blanket, symbolizing the offering of comfort.
I gave him my wool for his blanket warm
Highlights the practical support of providing wool for Jesus' blanket, demonstrating the unity of the animals in their offerings.
He wore my coat on Christmas morn
Specifies Jesus wearing the sheep's coat on Christmas morning, adding to the imagery of the nativity scene.
I, said the sheep with curly horn
Reiterates the identity of the sheep with curly horn, emphasizing its unique contribution to Jesus' comfort.
I, said the dove from the rafters high
The dove speaks, recounting how it cooed Jesus to sleep, highlighting a soothing and nurturing role.
I cooed him to sleep so that he would not cry
Emphasizes the dove's role in calming Jesus so that he would not cry, portraying a gentle and protective presence.
We cooed him to sleep, my mate and i
Specifies that the dove cooed Jesus to sleep with its mate, reinforcing the idea of companionship and care.
I, said the dove from the rafters high
Reiterates the dove's origin from the rafters high, maintaining the imagery of the stable.
Thus all the beasts by some good spell
Introduces the idea that all the beasts in the stable were glad to tell their contributions to Jesus, suggesting a sense of joy and fulfillment.
In the stable dark were glad to tell
Describes the stable as dark, indicating the contrast between the humble setting and the joyous stories of the animals.
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel
States that the beasts were eager to tell of the gifts they gave Emmanuel, emphasizing the significance of their offerings.
The gifts they gave Emmanuel
Reiterates the gifts given to Emmanuel, concluding the narrative with a reference to Jesus by one of his titles.
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