Lyrics and Information

How Far Is it to Bethlehem?

Words by Frances Chesterton
Music: English Traditional
Key signature: A flat major (4 flats)
Public Domain
1. How far is it to Bethlehem? Not very far. Shall we find the stableroom Lit by a star? Can we see the little Child, Is He within? If we lift the wooden latch May we go in? we touch His tiny hand Will He awake?
2. May we stroke the creatures there, Ox, ass, or sheep? May we peep like them and see Jesus asleep? If we touch His tiny hand Will He awake? Will He know we’ve come so far Just for His sake?
3. Great kings have precious gifts, And we have naught, Little smiles and little tears Are all we brought. For all weary children Mary must weep. Here, on His bed of straw Sleep, children, sleep.
Last time: God in His mother’s arms, Babe in the byre, Sleep, as they sleep who find Their heart’s desire.