Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall

Subject: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: GUEST,G B-P
Date: 23 Nov 20 - 03:57 PM

Hi-

I'm looking for a song I remember from years ago which I think is an English carol...I have the tune and (I think) a half decent arrangement, but very few words.

First verse is something along the lines of "The trees of the forest are lusty and green, and the starlight is over them all. Something, something, something else-but our saviour was born in a stall".

I think every verse ends with this line, and I believe there's something about the ox and the ass in there somewhere as well.

Unusually for what I assume is trad folk, there seems to be scant trace of this on the Internet. At present what I have of the song is perhaps a little too thin for public airing.

I'd be really grateful if anyone has a link to the lyrics?

Many thanks,
Gene.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 23 Nov 20 - 07:50 PM

The words fit to the song from the beer-garden "Cabaret" scene.
Sincerely,
Gargoyle

"Tomorrow Belongs to Me" has sometimes been construed as being folk. I believe someone is spoofing you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: cnd
Date: 23 Nov 20 - 08:09 PM

Does this look right to you?

A MESSAGE

I would like to send a message
To my friends both far and near;
For time is swiftly passing, and,
Christmas Day is drawing near.

The message that I'd like to send
Is good wishes for them all,
And about the night so long ago
When our Savior was born in a stall

There was a star, a shining star
To show just where He lay;
There asleep on His mother's arm
While she rested upon the hay.

The wise men came from afar
To bring Him gifts of gold,
The star led them to where He was
And joy did fill their soul.

Down on their knees they worshipped Him,
Then departed on their way
For in a dream they had been warned
That Herod must not know where He lay.

His life on earth was spared for awhile
And he traveled on land and sea,
Preaching the gospel to one and all
Healing the blind so they could see.

The love He did have for us
No greater was ever given
And if we'll love Him as we should
We'll have a home in Heaven.

I wish I could put into this message
Just all I'd like to say
But love comes first in my thoughts
Of Christ on Christmas Day.

Via The Free Will Baptist, Vol. 65 No. 1 (Jan 1950).

That doesn't seem to fit exactly what you remember, but it's the closest thing I've found so far.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: GUEST,G B-P
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 10:18 AM

cnd, thanks so much for sharing, that's not the song though.

Now I think of it, I think the version I know was sung/recorded by Johnny Coppin if this helps narrow it down?

Alternatively I may have completely invented it...in which case I ought to sit down and try to come up with more words, because the tune is lovely.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 07:30 PM

Dearest G P B

And the TUNE IS ?? ? ?

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Mudcat is an astounding resource.
You need to provide more information...since you obviously imply You KNOW the tune.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: cnd
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 08:59 PM

Do any of these sound right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5Gh2dKizjE

https://folkways.si.edu/alan-mills/the-simple-birth/childrens-holiday/music/track/smithsonian

Or:

https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/angels_sing_around_the_stall.htm

https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/i_was_born_in_a_stall.htm

https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/jesus_in_the_stall.htm

https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/who_is_he_in_yonder_stall-1.htm

https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/who_is_he_in_yonder_stall-2.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: GUEST,G B-P
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 05:39 AM

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCUmTaq3SPvkfF9HBK3EGkpw

OK, the most recent video here (today's date) is me playing/singing one verse, with all the bits I don't remember redacted. This is the only way I can think of to explain the tune, cos if I knew the song title I wouldn't need to ask, and I don't know of any other song with the same tune.

cnd-I feel really guilty making so much work for you, but it isn't any of those, either. Thanks again so much for trying, though.

(blank Guest post above is me BTW-submitted in error)

Gene.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: cnd
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 12:34 PM

Don't worry, Gene, I like a good challenge! The frustrating part for me is that I swear I've seen a request for this exact song before.

Did you name an artist in your previous "blank guest" post? I seem to recall there being one, but I could be combining threads in my head.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: maeve
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 12:52 PM

http://www.johnnycoppin.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: cnd
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 01:09 PM

Thanks Maeve!

Could it be Johnny Coppin Forest Carol? It doesn't appear to be available online sadly

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: maeve
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 01:24 PM

One could ask: https://johnnycoppin.wordpress.com/

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: leeneia
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 10:19 PM

I can see how this theme could be worked into a thought-provoking and depressing modern Christmas song along the lines of 'I Wonder as I Wander", but not by me. Rhythm and rhyme are too much work.

The emperor loafs in his villa
surrounded by bodyguards and
pretty boys and girls.
But our saviour was born in a stall.

The governor lords it over us
in a cold marble palace,
surrounded by soldiers and spies
But....

King Herod lives among domes and arches
with dancers, fine linen and silk
But....

The high priest bathes every day,
his food purified and sanctified
but...

The angels shine in the heavens
their robes are the finest,
their abode purest heaven
but...

Some babes are born in poverty
Some are born to luxury
But the one who would sit at God's right hand
was born in a humble stall.
==========
Anybody who wants these beginnings of a song can have them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: But our saviour was born in a stall
From: GUEST,G B-P
Date: 30 Nov 20 - 04:55 PM

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCUmTaq3SPvkfF9HBK3EGkpw

As a post-script to this, my attempt at piecing together what I could remember (most recent video, today's date) . I suppose this is how the folk process used to work!

Gene.