Before the winter morn, br Before the earliest cock crow, br Jesus Christ was born: br Born in a stable, br Cradled in a manger, br In the world his hands had made br Born a stranger. br br Priest and king lay fast asleep br In Jerusalem; br Young and old lay fast asleep br In crowded Bethlehem; br Saint and angel, ox and ass, br Kept a watch together br Before the Christmas daybreak br In the winter weather. br br Jesus on his mother's breast br In the stable cold, br Spotless lamb of God was he, br Shepherd of the fold: br Let us kneel with Mary maid, br With Joseph bent and hoary, br With saint and angel, ox and ass, br To hail the King of Glory.