Singing the Living Tradition ‎#243

243. Jesus, Our Brother

1 Jesus, our brother, kind and good,
was humbly born in a stable rude,
and the friendly beasts around him stood,
Jesus, our brother, kind and good.

2 "I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
"I carried his mother uphill and down.
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town;
I," said the donkey shaggy and brown.

3 "I," said the cow, all white and red,
"I gave him my manger for his bed.
I gave him hay to pillow his head;
I," said the cow, all white and red.

4 "I," said the sheep with curly horn,
"I gave him my wool for his blanket warm,
he wore my coat on Christmas morn;
I," said the sheep with curly horn.

5 "I," said the dove, from rafters high,
"I cooed him to sleep that he should not cry,
we cooed him to sleep, my mate and I;
I," said the dove, from rafters high.

6 And all the beasts, by some good spell,
in the stable dark was glad to tell
of the gifts they gave Emmanuel,
the gifts they gave Emmanuel.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus, our brother, kind and good
• Title: Jesus, Our Brother
• Translator: Anon.
• Meter: Irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:7
• Topic: Jewish and Christian Teachings: Christmas
• Source: 12th cent. French carol

Tune Information

• Name: ORIENTIS PARTIBUS
• Harmonizer: Carlton R. Young, 1926-
• Meter: Irregular
• Key: F Major or modal
• Source: Medieval French melody
• Copyright: Harm. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House