A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: VIII. In freezing winter night
Benjamin Britten
Behold a silly tender babe,
In freezing winter night
In homely manger trembling lies
Alas a piteous sight!
The inns are full no man will yield
This little pilgrim bed
But forced he is with silly beasts
In crib to shroud his head
This stable is a Prince's court
This crib his chair of State
The beasts are parcel of his pomp
The wooden dish his plate
The persons in that poor attire
His royal liveries wear
The Prince himself is come from heav'n
This pomp is prizèd there
With joy approach, O Christian wight
Do homage to thy King
And highly praise his humble pomp
Wich he from Heav'n doth bring