IN BETHLEHEM TOWN
In Bethlehem Town by lantern lightInstallèd is our King to-nightWho for us men shall come to weepOur sins alone while very deepIn shade of leaves His comrades sleep.To-night we rise with Thee to pray,O parve Jesu Domine.In Bethlehem Town the shepherds spreadTheir fairest fleeces for Thy headWhich for us men with buffets brokeShall stain the mockery of Thy cloakFor the rude scorn of sinful folk.No scorn know we who sing and say,O parve Jesu Domine.In Bethlehem Town soft linens wrapThy limbs upon Thy Mother’s lapWhich for us men shall soon be boundFast to the pillar whilst aroundThe plying scourges fall and wound.Alas, our sins be sharp as they,O parve Jesu Domine.In Bethlehem Town Thou scarce couldst holdThe three Kings’ gift of myrrh and goldWho for us men shall come to groanBeneath a guerdon not Thine own,Thy most dispiteous cross, alone.Now Simon’s part be ours to play,O parve Jesu Domine.In Bethlehem Town Thy Mother’s kneeBore Bliss Itself in bearing TheeWho for us men with arms outspannedThe Cross shall bear while she doth standWith pardon at Thy piercèd hand.So may we stand with her alway,O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town by lantern lightInstallèd is our King to-nightWho for us men shall come to weepOur sins alone while very deepIn shade of leaves His comrades sleep.To-night we rise with Thee to pray,O parve Jesu Domine.In Bethlehem Town the shepherds spreadTheir fairest fleeces for Thy headWhich for us men with buffets brokeShall stain the mockery of Thy cloakFor the rude scorn of sinful folk.No scorn know we who sing and say,O parve Jesu Domine.In Bethlehem Town soft linens wrapThy limbs upon Thy Mother’s lapWhich for us men shall soon be boundFast to the pillar whilst aroundThe plying scourges fall and wound.Alas, our sins be sharp as they,O parve Jesu Domine.In Bethlehem Town Thou scarce couldst holdThe three Kings’ gift of myrrh and goldWho for us men shall come to groanBeneath a guerdon not Thine own,Thy most dispiteous cross, alone.Now Simon’s part be ours to play,O parve Jesu Domine.In Bethlehem Town Thy Mother’s kneeBore Bliss Itself in bearing TheeWho for us men with arms outspannedThe Cross shall bear while she doth standWith pardon at Thy piercèd hand.So may we stand with her alway,O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town by lantern lightInstallèd is our King to-nightWho for us men shall come to weepOur sins alone while very deepIn shade of leaves His comrades sleep.To-night we rise with Thee to pray,O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town the shepherds spreadTheir fairest fleeces for Thy headWhich for us men with buffets brokeShall stain the mockery of Thy cloakFor the rude scorn of sinful folk.No scorn know we who sing and say,O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town soft linens wrapThy limbs upon Thy Mother’s lapWhich for us men shall soon be boundFast to the pillar whilst aroundThe plying scourges fall and wound.Alas, our sins be sharp as they,O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town Thou scarce couldst holdThe three Kings’ gift of myrrh and goldWho for us men shall come to groanBeneath a guerdon not Thine own,Thy most dispiteous cross, alone.Now Simon’s part be ours to play,O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town Thy Mother’s kneeBore Bliss Itself in bearing TheeWho for us men with arms outspannedThe Cross shall bear while she doth standWith pardon at Thy piercèd hand.So may we stand with her alway,O parve Jesu Domine.