The animal nativity (website only)

Tell the good news, the donkey brays
I've got a heavy load
I'm on my way to Bethlehem
I'm on my way to Bethlehem
Come join me on the road
Come join me on the road
Come join me, come join me on the road

Tell the good news, the sheep all bleat
An angel came at night
We're on our way to Bethlehem
We're on our way to Bethlehem
To see a wondrous sight
To see a wondrous sight
To see, to see a wondrous sight

Tell the good news, the camels snort
We're travelling from afar
We're on our way to Bethlehem
We're on our way to Bethlehem
Being guided by a star
Being guided by a star
Being guided, being guided by a star

Tell the good news, the cattle moo
The manger's full of straw
They're on their way to Bethlehem
They're on their way to Bethlehem
Open the stable door
Open the stable door
Open, open the stable door

Tell the good news, the creatures cheer
A child is born for us
Now we're all here in Bethlehem
Now we're all here in Bethlehem
We'll praise the baby king
We'll praise the baby king
We'll praise, we'll praise the baby king

Words: Castle Street Junior Church (revised)
Metre: 86.86 extended
Tune: Antioch (Comfort, Mason) (Joy to the world, StF 330)

Ideas for use

An excellent starting point for any children's Nativity presentation, either sung all in one go, or divided up between other elements. If you have a confident young soloist or small group, consider having them sing the first three lines of each verse, with the rest of the congregation joining in response from line 4.

More information

This song was written by the 6-10-year-olds of Castle Street Methodist Church in the Cambridge Circuit, with the encouragement of the Revd Jenny Pathmarajah.