Verse 1
Here is a night that's bleak and raw
The mice run wittering through the straw
And drowsy cattle feed and call
Their speechless woe in their poor stall
Here may the ass his thoughts devise
And here the camel with hooded eyes
Ponders upon life's mysteries
Verse 2
But camel and ass shall watch with awe
A baby waken in the straw
And in the starlight listen long
Wondering to an angel's song
Did ever ox look on such grace
Or mouse behold a Saviour's face
But under the Star and in that place
Verse 3
This is the human mind and heart
And like the stall in every part
For fears will start and hungers call
And knowledge brooding above them all
Ponders on life with weary eyes
Till a Star shines and an angel cries
And the Christ-child in the manger lies
