| Stephen was a stable groom
|
| He watered five foals all and some
|
| Ere the morning star was risen
|
| Nor daylight to be seen
|
| He saw a star was fair and bright
|
| Over Bedl’em standing
|
| Of a truth the Prophet now is born
|
| That all the world shall ransom
|
| He leads the foals from water
|
| By that star so gleaming
|
| And he is gone into the hall
|
| Where Herod sat amusing
|
| There is a child in Bedl’em born
|
| And He is better than we all
|
| Herod answered thus to Him
|
| I’ll not believe your story
|
| I’ll not believe your story, boy
|
| Till the ragged bird that is on the board
|
| Claps his wings and crows my Lord
|
| In truth it is his birthday
|
| Now Herod sat and he did wait
|
| The bird came together on the plate
|
| Feathered was he never so fair
|
| As he flew up on the red gold chair
|
| He clapped his wings and he crew so fair
|
| My Lord this is his birthday
|
| And Herod down from his kingly seat
|
| In grief has fell a swooning
|
| Stephen was a stable groom
|
| He watered five foals all and some
|
| Ere the morning star was risen
|
| Nor daylight to be seen |