Full Lyrics
Jesus our brother, kind and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around Him stood,
Jesus our brother, kind and good.
"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
"I carried His mother up hill and down;
I carried His mother to Bethlehem town."
"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown.
"I," said the cow, all white and red,
"I gave Him my manger for His 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,
"I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry;
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I."
"I," said the dove from the rafters high.
About This Song
"The Friendly Beasts" is a charming Christmas carol of medieval French origin, sometimes attributed to the 12th century. Each verse is sung from the perspective of a different animal in the nativity stable, telling how they helped baby Jesus.
Children absolutely love this song because they can pretend to be each animal in turn — the donkey, the cow, the sheep, and the dove. It makes the nativity story accessible and personal for young children.
The song teaches empathy and kindness by showing how even the humblest creatures can contribute something meaningful. It's a beautiful choice for school nativities and Christmas sing-alongs.