And when they came to Egypt's land,
Amongst those fierce wild beasts,
Mary, she being weary,
Must needs sit down to rest.
Come sit thee down, says Jesus,
Come sit thee down by me,
And thou shalt see how these wild beasts
Do come and worship me.
First came the lovely lion,
Which Jesu's grace did spring,
And of the wild beasts in the field,
The lion shall be the king.
We'll choose our virtuous princes,
Of birth and high degree,
In every sundry nation,
Where'er we come and see.
Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,
And Mary, that was unknown,
They travelled by a husbandman,
Just while his seed was sown.
God speed thee, man! said Jesus,
Go fetch thy ox and wain,
And carry home thy corn again
Which thou this day hast sown.
The husbandman fell on his knees,
Even before his face;
Long time hast Thou been looked for,
But now Thou art come at last.
And I myself do now believe
Thy name is Jesus called;
Redeemer of mankind Thou art,
Though undeserving all.
The truth, man, thou hast spoken,
Of it thou may'st be sure,
For I must lose my precious blood
For thee and thousands more.
If any one should come this way,
And inquire for me alone,
Tell them that Jesus passed by,
As thou thy seed did sow.