When Joseph went
to Bethlehem,
I think he took great care
To place his tools and clothes to shop
And leave no shavings there
He urged the donkey forward then
With Mary on its back
And carried bread and goat cheese In
a little
linen sack
The
busy inn
that he was
meek and mild And ought to be the
guardian of Mary's sacred
child
Perhaps all through
the chilly hours
He smoothed the swaddling bands And Jesus felt
the quiet strength
Of Joseph's gentle hands
And close beside
the
manger bed
He dimmed the lantern's light
And held the little Jesus close
Upon that
holy night