The Friendly Beasts

France, England

HISTORY AND SONG NOTES

The Friendly Beasts is a traditional Christmas song, based on the Christian story of the Nativity. The song originated in 12th century France, as “Orientis Partibus;” the English words that are used today were written in the 1920s. The Friendly Beasts is considered to be the oldest Christmas song that is still sung today.

In addition to the lyrics in the score above, there are several commonly sung additional verses:

Additional Verses:

I, said the donkey shaggy and brown. I carried his mother up hill and down.

I carried her safely to Bethlehem town. I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

I, said the cow, all white and red. I gave him my manger for a bed.

I gave him my hay to pillow his head. I, said the cow, all white and red.

I, said the sheep, with curly horn. I gave him my wool for his blanket warm.

He wore my coat on Christmas morn. I, said the sheep, with curly horn.

I, said the dove, from the rafters high. Cooed him to sleep that he should not cry.

Cooed him to sleep, my mate and I. I, said the dove, from the rafters high.

Thus every beast, by some good spell, in the stable dark was glad to tell,

Of the gift he gave Emmanuel. The gift he gave Emmanuel.

Singing and Instrument playing

This tune works well as both a group singing or instrument playing activity for young children. The children may enjoy singing, or hearing you sing, the song while they play instruments as a group. Shakers and bells work particularly well with this song, enabling the children to play along with the beat and feel the meter. Click here to read more about group singing or instrument playing.

Musical Dramatic Play Activity

As this song is a story song, with the inclusion of several animal characters throughout, it lends itself easily to musical dramatic play. The children may enjoy acting out the part of the animals either alone, in small groups, or all together; for example, the children could move around the room as each animal during the verse, and then return to deliver their “gift” at the end of the verse.

AUDIO RECORDING with words FOR LISTENING, SINGING ALONG, AND LEARNING: 

Downloads:

PDF of Score: The Friendly Beasts