{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch055.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch055.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch055.htm","text":"55.1 AS I passed by a river side,\nAnd there as I did reign,\nIn argument I chanced to hear\nA Carnal and a Crane.\n55.2 The Carnal said unto the Crane,\nIf all the world should turn,\nBefore we had the Father,\nBut now we have the Son!\n55.3 \u2018From whence does the Son come,\nFrom where and from what place?\u2019\nHe said, In a manger,\nBetween an ox and ass.\n55.4 \u2018I pray thee,\u2019 said the Carnal,\n\u2018Tell me before thou go,\nWas not the mother of Jesus\nConceivd by the Holy Ghost?\u2019\n55.5 She was the purest virgin,\nAnd the cleanest from sin;\nShe was the handmaid of our Lord\nAnd mother of our king.\n55.6 \u2018Where is the golden cradle\nThat Christ was rocked in?\nWhere are the silken sheets\nThat Jesus was wrapt in?\u2019\n55.7 A manger was the cradle\nThat Christ was rocked in:\nThe provender the asses left\nSo sweetly he slept on.\n55.8 There was a star in the east land,\nSo bright it did appear,\nInto King Herod\u2019s chamber,\nAnd where King Herod were.\n55.9 The Wise Men soon espied it,\nAnd told the king on high\nA princely babe was born that night\nNo king could eer destroy.\n55.10 \u2018If this be true,\u2019 King Herod said,\n\u2018As thou tellest unto me,\nThis roasted cock that lies in the dish\nShall crow full fences three.\u2019\n55.11 The cock soon freshly featherd was,\nBy the work of God\u2019s own hand,\nAnd then three fences crowed he,\nIn the dish where he did stand.\n55.12 \u2018Rise up, rise up, you merry men all,\nSee that you ready be;\nAll children under two years old\nNow slain they all shall be.\u2019\n55.13 Then Jesus, ah, and Joseph,\nAnd Mary, that was so pure,\nThey travelld into Egypt,\nAs you shall find it sure.\n55.14 And when they came to Egypt\u2019s land,\nAmongst those fierce wild beasts,\nMary, she being weary,\nMust needs sit down to rest.\n55.15 \u2018Come sit thee down,\u2019 says Jesus,\n\u2018Come sit thee down by me,\nAnd thou shalt see how these wild beasts\nDo come and worship me.\u2019\n55.16 First came the lovely lion,\nWhich Jesus\u2019s grace did bring,\nAnd of the wild beasts in the field\nThe lion shall be king.\n55.17 We\u2019ll choose our virtuous princess\nOf birth and high degree,\nIn every sundry nation,\nWhereer we come and see.\n55.18 Then Jesus, ah, and Joseph,\nAnd Mary, that was unknown,\nThey travelled by a husbandman,\nJust while his seed was sown.\n55.19 \u2018God speed thee, man,\u2019 said Jesus,\n\u2018Go fetch thy ox and wain,\nAnd carry home thy corn again\nWhich thou this day hast sown.\u2019\n55.20 The husbandman fell on his knees,\nEven upon his face:\n\u2018Long time hast thou been looked for,\nBut now thou art come at last.\n55.21 \u2018And I myself do now believe\nThy name is Jesus called;\nRedeemer of mankind thou art,\nThough undeserving all.\u2019\n55.22 \u2018The truth, man, thou hast spoken,\nOf it thou mayst be sure,\nFor I must lose my precious blood\nFor thee and thousands more.\n55.23 \u2018If any one should come this way,\nAnd enquire for me alone,\nTell them that Jesus passed by\nAs thou thy seed did sow.\u2019\n55.24 After that there came King Herod,\nWith his train so furiously,\nEnquiring of the husbandman\nWhether Jesus passed by.\n55.25 \u2018Why, the truth it must be spoke,\nAnd the truth it must be known;\nFor Jesus passed by this way\nWhen my seed was sown.\n55.26 \u2018But now I have it reapen,\nAnd some laid on my wain,\nReady to fetch and carry\nInto my barn again.\u2019\n55.27 \u2018Turn back,\u2019 says the captain,\n\u2018Your labor and mine\u2019s in vain;\nIt\u2019s full three quarters of a year\nSince he his seed has sown.\u2019\n55.28 So Herod was deceived,\nBy the work of God\u2019s own hand,\nAnd further he proceeded\nInto the Holy Land.\n55.29 There\u2019s thousands of children young\nWhich for his sake did die;\nDo not forbid those little ones,\nAnd do not them deny.\n55.30 The truth now I have spoken,\nAnd the truth now I have shown;\nEven the Blessed Virgin\nShe\u2019s now brought forth a son.","title":"The Child Ballads: 55. The Carnal and the Crane","type":"page"}