The Oxen

Christmas Eve and twelve of the clock
Now they are all on their knees
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease

We pictured the meek, mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawry pen
Nor did it occur to one of us then
To doubt they were kneeling then

So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years yet I feel
As someone said on Christmas Eve
"Come see the oxen kneel"

Oh, come see them kneel in the lonely barn
By yonder coomb, our childhood used to know
I should go with them in the gloom
Hoping it might be so

Oh, come see them kneel in the lonely barn
By yonder coomb, our childhood used to know
I should go with them in the gloom
Hoping it might be so