Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MARY'S MANGER-SONG by WILLIAM CHANNING GANNETT

First Line: SLEEP, MY LITTLE JESUS
Last Line: SLEEP, MY JESUS, SHEEP!

Sleep, my little Jesus,
On Thy bed of hay,
While the shepherds homeward
Journey on the way!
Mother is Thy shepherd,
And will vigil keep;
Oh, did the angels wake Thee?
Sleep, my Jesus, sleep!

Sleep, my little Jesus,
While Thou art my own!
Ox and ass Thy neighbors,
Shalt Thou have a throne?

Will they call me blessed?
Shall I stand and weep?
Oh, be it far, Jehovah!
Sleep, my Jesus, sleep!

Sleep, my little Jesus,
Wonder-baby mine!
Well the singing angels
Greet Thee as divine.
Through my heart, as heaven,
Low the echoes sweep
Of glory to Jehovah!
Sleep, my Jesus, sheep!



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