Angel Heralds
by
As Joseph was a-walking,
He heard an angel sing:
“This night shall be born
Our Heavenly King;
“He neither shall be born
In housen nor in hall,
Nor in the place of Paradise,
But in an ox’s stall;
“He neither shall be clothed
In purple nor in pall,
But all in fair linen,
As we were babies all.
“He neither shall be rocked
In silver nor in gold,
But in a wooden cradle
That rocks on the mould.
“He neither shall be christened
In white wine nor in red,
But with fair spring-water
With which we were christened.”