Song of the Magi - Anaïs Mitchell

when we came

we came through the cold

we came bearing gifts of gold

and frankincense and myrrh

and there were trumpets playing

there were angels looking down

on a west bank town

and he so loved the world!

wore we our warmest capes

wore we then our walking shoes

opened wide the city gates

and let us through

a child is born

born in Bethlehem

born in a cattle pen

a child is born on the killing floor

and still he no crying makes

still as the air is he lying so prayerfully there

waiting for the war

welcome home, my child

your home is a checkpoint now

your home is a border town

welcome to the brawl

life ain’t fair, my child

put your hands in the air, my child

slowly now, single file, now

up against the wall

wear we now our warmest coats

wear we now our walking shoes

opened wide the gates of hope

and let us through

when we came

we came through the cold

we came bearing gifts of gold

and frankincense and myrrh

and there were shepherds praying

there were lions laying down

with the lambs in a west bank town

and he so loved the world!