Animals Carol
Villagers all, this frosty tide
Let your doors swing open wide
Though wind may follow, and snow beside
Yet draw us in by your fire to bide
Joy shall be yours in the morning
Here we stand in the cold and the sleet
Blowing fingers and stamping feet
Come from far away you to greet
You be the fire and we in the street
Bidding you joy in the morning
But ere one half of the night was gone
Sudden a star has led us on
Raining bliss and benison
Bliss tomorrow and more anon
Joy for every morning
Goodman Joseph toiled through the snow
Saw the star o'er the stable low
Mary she might not further go
Welcome thatch, and litter below
Joy was hers in the morning
And then they heard the angels tell
"Who were first to cry Nowell ?
Animals all, as it befell
In the stable where they did dwell
Joy shall be theirs in the morning! "
Autor(es): B. Mills, K. Grahame