The Gifts They Gave
Joyful Voices of Humble Beasts: The Meaning Behind 'The Gifts They Gave'
Lyrics
Jesus our brother, kind and good
Jesus, portrayed as a compassionate and benevolent figure, akin to a brother to humanity, characterized by kindness.
Was humbly born in a stable of wood
Emphasizes the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth, born in a simple wooden stable.
And the friendly beasts around Him stood
Depicts the animals around Jesus, signifying a peaceful and harmonious setting.
Jesus our brother kind and good
Reiterates the portrayal of Jesus as a kind and good brother to people.
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown
The donkey speaks, taking pride in having carried Jesus' mother, Mary, during her journey to Bethlehem.
I carried His Mother up hill and down
Highlights the donkey's physical support in transporting Mary during her travels.
I carried His Mother to Bethlehem town
Specifies the destination—Bethlehem—where the journey culminated.
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown
The donkey reaffirms its role and appearance.
I, said the sheep with curly horn
The sheep contributes its wool to provide warmth for the baby Jesus, symbolizing a gift.
I gave Him my wool for a blanket warm
Expresses the sheep's generosity by offering its wool to be used as a blanket for Jesus.
He wore my coat on Christmas morn
Indicates that Jesus wore the sheep's coat on the morning of His birth, another symbol of care and protection.
I, said the sheep with curly horn
The sheep reiterates its identification and deed.
I, said the dove, from the rafters high
The dove claims responsibility for soothing Jesus to sleep, preventing Him from crying.
I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry
Describes the dove's act of cooing, providing comfort to Jesus while He slept.
We cooed Him to sleep my love and I
Implies a shared effort, involving both the dove and its mate, in calming Jesus to sleep.
I, said the dove, from the rafters high
The dove restates its identity and contribution.
Thus, every beast, by some good spell
Suggests a magical or unexplained force that led each animal in the stable to feel joy in recounting the gift they offered to Emmanuel (Jesus).
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Highlights the animals' happiness in sharing their contributions to Jesus in the dark and humble stable.
Of the gift he gave Emanuel
Emphasizes each animal's unique gift given to Emmanuel (Jesus).
Of the gift he gave Emanuel
Reiterates the animals' offerings as gifts to Emmanuel (Jesus).
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