The New Century Hymnal ‎#138

138. Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good

1 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.

2 “I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
“I carried your mother uphill and down,
I carried your mother to Bethlehem town;
I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

3 “I,” said the cow, all white and red,
“I gave you my manger for your bed,
I gave you hay to pillow your head;
I,” said the cow, all white and red.

4 “I,” said the sheep with curly horn,
“I gave you my wool for a blanket warm,
you wore my coat on Christmas morn;
I,” said the sheep with curly horn.

5 “I,” said the dove, from the rafters high,
“I cooed you to sleep that you should not cry,
we cooed you to sleep, my love and I;
I,” said the dove, from the rafters high.

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

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus, our brother, strong and good
• Title: Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good
• Meter: 7.7.7.7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1995
• Scripture:
  Matthew 1:23
  ;
  Luke 2:1-7
• Topic: Christmas; Jesus Christ: Birth and Infancy; Year A: Advent 4
• Source: French carol, 12th century, Trans. anon.

Tune Information

• Name: ORIENTIS PARTIBUS
• Harmonizer: Ralph Vaughan Williams
• Meter: 7.7.7.7.
• Key: F Major
• Source: French melody, early 13th century; Harm. The English Hymnal, 1906