In Bethlehem Town by lantern light
Installèd is our King to-night
Who for us men shall come to weep
Our sins alone while very deep
In shade of leaves His comrades sleep.
To-night we rise with Thee to pray,
O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town the shepherds spread
Their fairest fleeces for Thy head
Which for us men with buffets broke
Shall stain the mockery of Thy cloak
For the rude scorn of sinful folk.
No scorn know we who sing and say,
O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town soft linens wrap
Thy limbs upon Thy Mother’s lap
Which for us men shall soon be bound
Fast to the pillar whilst around
The plying scourges fall and wound.
Alas, our sins be sharp as they,
O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town Thou scarce couldst hold
The three Kings’ gift of myrrh and gold
Who for us men shall come to groan
Beneath a guerdon not Thine own,
Thy most dispiteous cross, alone.
Now Simon’s part be ours to play,
O parve Jesu Domine.
In Bethlehem Town Thy Mother’s knee
Bore Bliss Itself in bearing Thee
Who for us men with arms outspanned
The Cross shall bear while she doth stand
With pardon at Thy piercèd hand.
So may we stand with her alway,
O parve Jesu Domine.