On a still night under starlight
On a hillside was the familiar sight
Of the shepherds keeping watch o’er
Sleeping flocks as the moon spread its
Soft glow around.

Close at hand lay in a manger
New born Christ Child just a stranger
Watching over Mother Mary
Father Joseph and kings three with
Gifts in their hands.

But Herod heard the news, there was no time to lose
The baby boy he said, would in a while be dead
He could see the day when men would turn away
The time was near when his kingdom
Could crumble and fall.

CHORUS (X2)
Mother Mary, mother mild
You gave away your Christmas child
A gift of hope on a Holy night
So the blind might see the light.

On that starry night the family took to flight
Herod searched in vain all through the night
But mother Mary, father Joseph
And the Christ Child in silence
Had all slipped away.

And as the shepherds, and the kings made
Their journey home from where the boy had laid
There was a song sung from the mountains
As the shepherds rejoiced in
The news they had heard.

CHORUS (X2)
Mother Mary, mother mild
You gave away your Christmas child
A gift of hope on a Holy night
So the blind might see the light.