Joseph, mild and noble, bent above the straw:
A pale girl, a frail girl, suff’ring he saw;
“O my Love, my Mary, my bride, I pity thee!”
“Nay, Dear,” said Mary, “All is well with me!”
“Baby, my Baby, O my Babe,” she sang.
Suddenly the golden night all with music rang.

Angels leading shepherds, shepherds leading sheep:
The silence of worship broke the mother’s sleep.
All the meek and lowly of the world were there;
Smiling she showed them that her Child was fair.
“Baby, my Baby,” kissing Him she said.
Suddenly a flaming star through the heavens sped.

Three old men and weary knelt them side by side,
The world’s wealth forswearing, majesty and pride;
Worldly might and wisdom before the Babe bent low:
Weeping, maid Mary said “I love Him so!”
“Baby, my Baby,” and the Baby slept.
Suddenly on Calvary all the olives wept.

Shaemus O’Sheel (1886–1954)