Steeleye Span - Stephen lyrics

Stephen was a stable groom He watered five foals all and some Ere the morning star was risen Nor daylight to be seen He saw a star was fair and bright Over Bedl'em standing Of a truth the Prophet now is born That all the world shall ransom He leads the foals from water By that star so gleaming And he is gone into the hall Where Herod sat amusing There is a child in Bedl'em born And He is better than we all Herod answered thus to Him I'll not believe your story I'll not believe your story, boy Till the ragged bird that is on the board Claps his wings and crows my Lord In truth it is his birthday Now Herod sat and he did wait The bird came together on the plate Feathered was he never so fair As he flew up on the red gold chair He clapped his wings and he crew so fair My Lord this is his birthday And Herod down from his kingly seat In grief has fell a swooning Stephen was a stable groom He watered five foals all and some Ere the morning star was risen Nor daylight to be seen