Whence comes this rush of wings afar?
Following straight the Noël star?
Birds from the woods in wondrous flight,
Bethlehem seek this Holy Night.
2. "Tell us, ye birds, why come ye here,
Into this stable, poor and drear?"
"Hast'ning we seek the new-born King,
And all our sweetest music bring."
3. First came the Cock, ere break of day,
Strutting along in plumage gay,
Straight to the humble manger flew,
Chanting aloud Coquerico.
4. Then, near the Babe a Goldfinch drew,
Chirping with mirth Tir-li-chiu-chiu;
Chiu said the Sparrow in reply,
Pal-pa-bat was the Quail's quick cry.
5. Blackbirds then raised their sweetest notes;
Warbled the Linnets' tuneful throats!
Pigeons all cooed Rou-cou-rou-cou,
Larks sang with joy Ti-ro-li-rou.
6. Angels, and shepherds, birds of the sky,
Come where the Son of God doth lie;
Christ on the earth with man doth dwell,
Join in the shout, Noël, Noël!
Kolinka. How lonely it is with Father away!
Marie. Yes, and isn't it strange to think that all the houses in the village are just as quiet as ours?—on Christmas Eve, too.
Sascha. I don't believe it ever happened before that the whole village had to turn out and hunt wolves on Christmas Eve.
Marie. And if they hadn't had to do that I suppose Mother wouldn't have had to spend the day taking care of Petrovitch's sick wife, either.
Kolinka. If the men were at home somebody would be coming in, or at least passing by.
Marie. Oh, I do hope they will kill all those dreadful wolves so we shan't have to be afraid any more.