Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Ho there, little Robin! Why so red your breast?
As you bustle through the bushes And hop across the lawn
With a chirrup and a twitter And a flash of happy colour,
You're a gem amongst the other Little birds of brown and grey!
So tell us, little Robin: Why so red your breast?
They say that long ago On a cold winter's night
I flew into a stable To behold a wondrous sight!
A baby in a manger With the mother watching by;
And in that draughty stable Just a weakly glowing fire
To warm the pale young mother And her tiny newborn child.
So
I
fanned the dying fire With the flap of my wings;
For a goodly while I fanned Till the flames were bright and strong;
With my wings I fanned the embers, And the fire flared bright and strong!
It lit and warmed the lady And the infant in the crib;
And the feathers on my front Blushed red forever more.
Ho there, little Robin, What is on your mind?
As you sing a wistful song And the evening mist descends;
All the other birds are silent While you alone remain;
And you watch and you whistle As had you something grave to tell.
So please tell us, little Robin: What is on your mind?
Some say that long ago A man of sorrows passed my way;
And on his back a beam of wood, On his head a thorny crown.
What little could I do? From his head I pulled a thorn;
And as I did a drop of blood Stained the feathers on my breast;
And so it is, so some do say, I'm Robin Redbreast to this day.
And why, little Robin, Why in wintertime
When other birds are scarce and shy With greater zest you fly?
Rejoicing in the frost and snow You plant your arrowed prints
And flit from ivied watering can To settle on a spade;
So why then, little Robin, Why so happy at this time?
They say that in this season I do glow a brighter red
And sing with mounting joy Eternal carols to the sky,
Hymns of joyful news, That is what good men have said;
For in this winter season And at this holy time
A kingly child was humbly born, A manger for his bed.
Something in the air The crisp and stilly air
Makes me want to join The pealing bells, the soaring choir;
And something makes me wish As a long-time friend to Man
All the festive happiness With all mankind to share.
And that is why you see me here In the crisp and stilly air.
Ho little Robin, Robin Redbreast, ho!
Let us celebrate together This joyful Christmastide!
More friendly a little bird We shall surely never see:
Let's set his image in our homes Atop the Christmas tree!
And welcome Robin Redbreast, In the cold winter snow.
Yes, welcome, Robin Redbreast, Robin Redbreast ho!