by Langston Hughes (1901 - 1967)

Shepherd's Song at Christmas
Language: English 
Look there at the star!
I, among the least,
Will arise and take
A journey to the East.
But what shall I bring
As a present for the King?
What shall I bring to the Manger?
     I will bring a song,
     A song that I will sing,
     A song that I will sing,
     In the Manger.

Watch out for my flocks,
Do not let them stray.
I am going on a journey
Far, far away.
But what shall I bring
As a present for the Child?
What shall I bring to the Manger?
     I will bring a lamb,
     Gentle, meek, and mild,
     A lamb for the Child
     In the Manger.

I’m just a shepherd boy,
Very poor I am—
But I know there is
A King in Bethlehem.
What shall I bring
As a present just for Him?
What shall I bring to the Manger?
     I will bring my heart
     And give my heart to Him.
     I will bring my heart
     To the Manger.

Confirmed with Langston Hughes, The Collected Works of Langston Hughes, Volume 11, University of Missouri Press, 2001, p.109


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Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2026-02-20
Line count: 33
Word count: 164