This Christmas song is a favorite of children and youth alike! Its uptempo beat and simple harmonies make it the perfect song for beginning groups or choirs. It also teaches some important truths about the Christ-child’s advent. (Song can be sung in unison sans harmony for younger groups)
Ann Luke Bailey
Long ago, a boy in old Jerusalem
Lived by a family who had a tiny son.
The mother, kind and sweet, would often let him in
To watch the baby play, and kick, and laugh, and grin.
And when he’d start to fuss and cry
His mama’d sing a lullaby
Then, in a cradle strong that her good husband made
She’d lay the baby down and then the boy would say:
“Is it OK for me to
Rock, rock, rock the Baby Jesus
Rock-a-bye the baby born in Bethlehem
I’m gonna rock, rock, rock the Baby Jesus
And sing a song to help him fall asleep again.”
A year or two went by, when an Egyptian girl
Met a young toddler, really quite adorable
She’d helped his mother, Mary, when they first moved in
And now her fav’rite chore was taking care of him,
And when the afternoons grew long
And his little legs were not that strong,
Then, in a rocking chair that Mary’s husband made
The young Egyptian girl would rock the tired babe,
And softly say: “I’m gonna
Rock, rock, rock the Baby Jesus
Rock-a-bye the baby born in Bethlehem
I’m gonna rock, rock, rock the Baby Jesus
And sing a song to help him fall asleep again.”
We’re gonna
Rock, rock, rock the Baby Jesus
Rock-a-bye the baby born in Bethlehem
I’m gonna rock, rock, rock the Baby Jesus
And sing a song to help him fall asleep again.
And sing a song to help him fall asleep again.
And sing a song to help him fall asleep—-a—-gain.
Shhhh…..
