O cruel manger, how bleak, how bleak!
  For the limbs of the Babe, my God;
Soft little limbs on the cold, cold straw;
  Weep, O eyes, for thy God!

Bitter ye winds in the frosty night
  Upon the Babe, my God,
Piercing the torn and broken thatch;
  Lament, O heart, for thy God!

Bare is the floor, how bare, how bare
  For the Babe's sweet mother, my God;
Only a stable for mother and Babe;
  How cruel thy world, my God!

Cast out, cast out, by his brother men
  Unknown the Babe, my God;
The ox and the ass alone are there;
  Soften, O heart, for thy God!

Dear little arms and sweet little hands,
  That stretch for thy mother, my God;
Soft baby eyes to the mother's eyes;
  Melt, O heart, for thy God!

Waxen touches on mother's heart,
  Fingers of the Babe, my God;
Dear baby lips to her virgin breast,
  The virgin mother of God.