Lyr Req: Ballad of the Christmas Donkey (Ed Ames)

Subject: Lyr Req: Looking for Title of Song
From: GUEST,Margaret
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 11:15 AM

I am trying to find the title of a song that goes something like:

Long ago in the stable hay
A donkey cried in his donkey way
"I'm not beautiful, I'm not beautiful.
What good to anyone am I?"

Heaven cried, "Donkey,
you can carry,
Carry, Mary,
With angels as your guide."

Long ago on a Chrismas day,
The donkey sang in his donkey way,
"I feel beautiful, I feel beautiful,
As beautiful as anyone am I!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for Title of Song
From: GUEST,ritchie
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 04:40 PM

it's not the donkey serenade is it?

Subject: RE: Looking for Title of Song - Donkey & Christmas
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 09:13 PM

Sounds like a simplified version of the English carol "The Friendly Beasts," modified from the medieval 12th c. Latin "Orientis partibus adventatit asinus." Also known as "The Donkey Carol," "The Animal Carol," etc.
"The Friendly Beasts" may be found, lyrics and midi, as well as "Orientis partibus," here: Friendly Beasts

There is some discussion in these threads, 54272 and 75373.
Carols
Carols

There may be a children's version out there, possibly found in a carol and hymn book advertised at the Kididdles website.

Subject: RE: Looking for Title of Song - Donkey & Christmas
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 09:32 PM

I think there's an Italian-American Christmas song about a donkey. Can't find it now, but maybe it will ring somebody's chimes....
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Looking for Title of Song - Donkey & Christmas
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 11:34 PM

The posted song appears in a blog with the first line underlined; that may be the title. "Heard about 1979." Have not found the song elsewhere.

Subject: Lyr Add: BALLAD OF THE CHRISTMAS DONKEY (Ed Ames)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 01:05 PM

Found at YouTube:


THE BALLAD OF THE CHRISTMAS DONKEY
Written by Carol Grisham Hall
Sung by Ed Ames

Long ago in another day,
A donkey cried in his donkey way:
"I'm not beautiful. I'm not beautiful.
What good to anyone am I?

"Other animals are big and strong,
Or rare, or filled with an animal song,
But I'm not beautiful. I'm not beautiful.
What good to anyone am I?"

Heaven cried,
"Donkey, you can carry.
Will you carry Mary,
Angels for your guide?"

On Christmas morn in the stable hay,
The donkey smiled in his donkey way:
"I feel beautiful. I feel beautiful.
As beautiful as anyone am I.
As beautiful as anyone am I.
I feel beautiful.
I feel beautiful."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of the Christmas Donkey (Ed Ames)
From: Severn
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 02:09 PM

I always wanted there to be a song or at least an animated TV Special about "the horse they rode in on", as the donkey certainly deserved one.


"ALL HAIL THE ASS OF PEACE!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of the Christmas Donkey (Ed Ames)
From: Genie
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 12:58 AM

Not to be confused with a piece of ass, of course, Sev.