As I was going to Bethlehem-town, br Upon the earth I cast me down br All underneath a little tree br That whispered in this wise to me: br 'Oh, I shall stand on Calvary br And bear what burthen saveth thee!' br br As up I fared to Bethlehem-town, br I met a shepherd coming down, br And thus he quoth: 'A wondrous sight br Hath spread before mine eyes this night,-- br An angel host most fair to see, br That sung full sweetly of a tree br That shall uplift on Calvary br What burthen saveth you and me!' br br And as I gat to Bethlehem-town, br Lo! wise men came that bore a crown. br 'Is there,' cried I, 'in Bethlehem br A King shall wear this diadem?' br 'Good sooth,' they quoth, 'and it is He br That shall be lifted on the tree br And freely shed on Calvary br What blood redeemeth us and thee!' br br Unto a Child in Bethlehem-town br The wise men came and brought the crown; br And while the infant smiling slept, br Upon their knees they fell and wept; br But, with her babe upon her knee, br Naught recked that Mother of the tree, br That should uplift on Calvary br What burthen saveth all and me. br br Again I walk in Bethlehem-town br And think on Him that wears the crown.