That Night When Christ Was Born

1. Once there lived a tiny nightingale
In the ancient land of Israel.
Not a note he ever sang until
That night when Christ was born.

Chorus: That night! That night!
No song he did sing,
So wise men tell,
Till that night when Christ was born.

2. On that night he came upon a field;
There a band of shepherds to sleep did yield,
For none knew what wonders the dark concealed,
That night when Christ was born.

3. Suddenly an angel host appeared,
With their songs the solemn darkness cleared,
And the shepherds awoke, God’s host revered,
That night when Christ was born.

4. Then the nightingale did fly up high
Till he joined the angels in the sky;
In his joy he opened his beak to cry,
That night when Christ was born.

5. As he tried to chirp that holy name
Suddenly his voice in music came,
And with angel choirs he did proclaim
That night when Christ was born.

6. Ever since that night, the nightingale
Every heart with music does regale,
And his favorite song, it is the tale
Of that night when Christ was born.

7. Then let us, if we would sweetly sing,
Join the angels praising Christ the king,
That they to our hearts once more may bring
That night when Christ was born.

Chorus for last verse only:
That night! That night!
No song we can sing,
So wise men tell,
Till that night when Christ is born.