Preface
The Friendly Beasts is a Christmas carol which has different renditions of prominent artists including Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Danny Taddei, Harry Belafonte, Brian Stokes Mitchell and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Sufjan Stevens, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Risë Stevens.
History of The Friendly Beasts
From time to time referred to as The Gifts They Gave, , this time-honored Christmas song has been given many names such as The Donkey Carol, The Gift of the Animals, The Animal Carol and even The Song of the Ass. It tells the story of the animals that were in the manger during the very first Christmas and how they gave their own gifts to the Holy Child at the Nativity. The origin of the Christmas carol dates back to the 12th century in France. The melody of which was based from the song, Orientis Partibus. Robert Davis made the English translation during the 1920’s and was then featured in Burl Ives’ album, Christmas Day in the Morning, during the 1950’s.
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The Friendly Beasts Lyrics
Jesus, our brother, kind and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude;
And the friendly beasts around Him stood.
Jesus, our brother, kind and good.
"I," said the Donkey, shaggy and brown,
"I carried His mother up hill and down;
I carried His mother to Bethlehem town."
"I," said the Donkey, shaggy and brown.
"I," said the Cow, all white and red,
"I gave Him my manger for His bed;
I gave Him my hay to pillow His head."
"I," said the Cow, all white and red.
"I," said the Sheep, with the curly horn,
"I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm;
He wore my coat on Christmas morn."
"I," said the Sheep, with the curly horn.
"I," said the Dove, from the rafters high,
"I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry;
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I."
"I," said the Dove, from the rafters high.
Thus every beast by some glad spell,
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Emmanuel,
The gift he gave Emmanuel.
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The Friendly Beasts Youtube Videos
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The Friendly Beasts Music Sheet | Guitar Tab
Music Sheet Source: freehandmusic.com
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Friendly Beasts Guitar Chords
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