Mary’s Boy Child

This song was written by Jesse Hairston and first popularised by Harry Belafonte. We’ve used it for Christmas, especially for the early mass on Christmas eve.

Verse 1
Long time ago in Bethlehem,
So the Holy Bible say,
Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ,
Was born on Christmas day,

Chorus
Hark, now hear the angels sing,
A new King born today,
And man will live forevermore,
Because of Christmas day.
Trumpets sound and angels sing,
Listen to what they say,
That man will live forevermore,
Because of Christmas day.

Verse 2
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
They saw a bright new shining star,
They heard a choir sing,
The music seemed to come from afar,

Verse 3
Now, Joseph and his wife, Mary,
Come to Bethlehem that night,
They found no place to born she child,
Not a single room was in sight.

Chorus

Verse 4
By and by, they find a little nook,
In a stable all forlorn,
And in a manger cold and dark,
Mary’s little boy was born!

Verse 1
Chorus 

© 1956 Bourne Co.