The Friendly Beasts

Our Nativity this year was based on the wonderful carol known most commonly as 'The Friendly Beasts'. It depicts the procession of the animals to the Christ Child and originated in 12th Century France, with the current English lyrics being written by Robert Davis (1881-1950). Here in 21st century London the scene was enacted not just by regular Heath Streeters but by some professional clowns who had come to help us inhabit the beasts and convincingly prowl, shuffle, scuttle and trot our way toward the manger! I would like to thank Katie Cooper and also Sam Rayner, who joined us for the performance with great aplomb. Oh, and as a special guest star from Oldtime Nursery, we had surely the most game and chirpy baby Jesus it has ever been my pleasure to share a stage with!

Wilf Merttens
 

Jesus our brother, strong and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around Him stood,
Jesus our brother, strong and good.

I, said the donkey shaggy and brown,
I carried His mother up hill and down
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town;
I, said the donkey shaggy and brown.

I, said the cow all white and red,
I gave Him my manger for His bed,
I gave Him my hay to pillow His head;
I, said the cow all white and red.

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.

I, said the dove, from the rafters high,
Cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry.
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I;
I, said the dove, from the rafters high.

And every beast, by some good spell,
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Immanuel;
The gift he gave Immanuel.