Nativity Song

by Jacopone da Todi

The beautiful Mother is bending
Low where her baby lies
Helpless and frail, for her tending:
But she knows the glorious eyes.

The Mother smiles and rejoices
While the Baby laughs in the hay,
She listens to heavenly voices:
"This Child shall be King some day."

O dear little Child in the manger,
Let me make merry with Thee,
O King, in my hour of danger,
Wilt Thou be strong for me?