A Child Is Born Lyrics

The thatch on the roof was a golden

Though dusty the straw was and old

The wind had a peal as of trumpets

Though blowing and baron and cold

The mothers hair was a glory

Though loosened and torn

For under the eaves in the gloaming

A child is born

Had countless children been quickened

Millions of children grown old

Grown gross and unloved and embittered

Grown cunning and savage and cold

God abides with a patience

Unangered unworn

And again for the child that was squandered

A child is born

What know we of eons behind us

Dim dynasties lost long ago

Huge empires like dreams unremembered

Huge cities for ages laid low

At least with blight and with blessing

With flower and thorn

Love was there and his cry was among them

A child is born

The rafters of toil still are gilded

With dawn of the stars of the heart

And the wise men draw near in the twilight

Who are weary of learning and art

The face of the tyrant is darkened

His spirit is torn

For today a new king is enthroned

A child is born

The mother still joys for the whispered

First stir of unspeakable things

She still feels that high moment unfurling

Red glory of Gabriel's wings

The babe of this hour is a master

Whom angels adorn

Emmanuel prophet anointed

A child is born

Little one still in the cradle

The sun being crown for your brow

Make answer our flesh make an answer

For what did you come to us now

Have you come to the earth for our teaching

To heal and to worn

How may we know knowing only

A child is born