As Joseph was a-waukin'
  He heard an angel sing,
"This night shall be the birthnight
  Of Christ our heavenly King.

"His birth-bed shall be neither
  In housen nor in hall,
Nor in the place of paradise,
  But in the oxen stall.

"He neither shall be rockèd
  In silver nor in gold,
But in the wooden manger
  That lieth in the mould.

"He neither shall be washen
  With white wine nor with red,
But with the fair spring water
  That on you shall be shed.

"He neither shall be clothèd
  In purple nor in pall,
But in the fair, white linen
  That usen babies all."

As Joseph was a-waukin',
  Thus did the angel sing,
And Mary's son at midnight
  Was born to be our King.