SECOND ACTION(The Lantern in the Desert)

AISLE I: A PATHWAY INTO THE WILDERNESS

Moving toward the Tree, a Procession enters singing.

First comes JOSEPH in white. He holds high a tall staff, from which a swinging lantern shines. Behind him comes, in pale blue, MARY, attended byShepherdsin white. These carry lighted candles and long crooks, and they are ranged about aManger, borne in their midst.

Carol 1. Joseph’s Carol

JOSEPHAs Joseph I was walking,I heard an angel sing:JOSEPH AND SHEPHERDS“This night shall be the birthnightOf Christ our heavenly King.His birth-bed shall be neitherIn housen nor in hall,Nor in the place of paradise,But in the oxen’s stall.He neither shall be rockèdIn silver nor in gold,But in the wooden mangerThat lieth on the mould.He neither shall be clothèdIn purple nor in pall,But in the fair white linenThat usen babies all.”JOSEPHAs Joseph I was walkingThus did the angel sing;JOSEPH AND SHEPHERDSAnd Mary’s Son at midnightWas born to be our King.

JOSEPH

As Joseph I was walking,I heard an angel sing:

As Joseph I was walking,

I heard an angel sing:

JOSEPH AND SHEPHERDS

“This night shall be the birthnightOf Christ our heavenly King.

“This night shall be the birthnight

Of Christ our heavenly King.

His birth-bed shall be neitherIn housen nor in hall,Nor in the place of paradise,But in the oxen’s stall.He neither shall be rockèdIn silver nor in gold,But in the wooden mangerThat lieth on the mould.

His birth-bed shall be neither

In housen nor in hall,

Nor in the place of paradise,

But in the oxen’s stall.

He neither shall be rockèd

In silver nor in gold,

But in the wooden manger

That lieth on the mould.

He neither shall be clothèdIn purple nor in pall,But in the fair white linenThat usen babies all.”

He neither shall be clothèd

In purple nor in pall,

But in the fair white linen

That usen babies all.”

JOSEPH

As Joseph I was walkingThus did the angel sing;

As Joseph I was walking

Thus did the angel sing;

JOSEPH AND SHEPHERDS

And Mary’s Son at midnightWas born to be our King.

And Mary’s Son at midnight

Was born to be our King.

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