The Shepherd Boy

Over the hills the shepherds hurried
To honor their new-born King;
Seeking the manger where He lay,
And each a gift did bring.
One had a lamb, and one had grapes,
And one brought a woven shawl,

But there was a ragged shepherd boy
And he brought nothing at all.

All he had was a thin tin whistle, all he could do was play,
And all he knew was a little tune that he whistled all the day.
He had no goodly gift to give, no splendid deed to do;
Would they let him play for the little Christ the only tune he knew?

The shepherds knocked; on creaking hinges
The door of the stable swung.
Soft fell the light on the scene within
From where the lantern hung.
Here was the angel's word fulfilled,
And the shepherds cried with joy,
And each had a goodly gift for the Christ
Save the litttle shepherd boy.


All he had was a thin tin whistle, all he could do was play,
And all he knew was a little tune that he whistled all the day.
But Mary looked at him tenderly, and so did Joseph too;
Perhaps they would let him play for the Child the only tune he knew.


The oldest shepherd offered the lamb,
Another the shawl of wool,
A third the grapes,  then came the fourth
With a jar of honey full.
Behind them all knelt the ragged boy,
Giftless and shy, but soon
He raised his eyes to the Child Divine
And started a trembling tune.

All he had was his thin tin whistle, only one tune he knew,
And his fingers shook as he shyly tried to play his one tune through;
But the shepherds suddenly heard with awe great music rise and ring,
And roll and surge, from the whistle played for love of the new-born King.
                               .....Patrick O'Connor