Since the day the angel cameIt seemed that everything had changed

The only certain thingWas the child that moved within

On the road that would not end

Winding down to BethlehemSo far away from home

Just a blanket on the floorOf a vacant cattle-stall

But there the child was bornShe held him in her arms

And as she laid him down to sleep

She wondered - will it always beSo bitter and so sweet

And did she see thereIn the straw by his head a thornAnd did she smell myrrhIn the air on that starry night

Then the words of ancient seersTumbled down the centuries ...

A virgin shall conceive...

God with us... Prince of PeaceMan of Sorrows - strangest name

Oh Joseph there it comes againSo bitter yet so sweet

And did she see thereIn the straw by his head a thornAnd did she smell myrrhIn the air on that starry nightAnd did she hear angels singNot so far awayTill at last the sun rose blood-redIn the morning sky

And did she see thereIn the straw by his head a thornAnd did she smell myrrhIn the air on that starry nightAnd did she hear angels singNot so far awayTill at last the sun rose blood-redIn the morning sky

And as she watched him through the yearsHer joy was mingled with her tears

And she'd feel it all againThe glory, and the shame

And when the miracles began She wondered, who is this manAnd where will this all end

'Til against a darkening skyThe son she loved was lifted high

And with his dying breathShe heard him say 'Father forgive'

And to the criminal beside"Today-with me in Paradise"So bitter yet so sweet

And did she see thereIn the straw by his head a thornAnd did she smell myrrhIn the air on that starry nightAnd did she hear angels singNot so far awayTill at last the sun rose blood-redIn the morning sky

And did she see thereIn the straw by his head a thornAnd did she smell myrrhIn the air on that starry nightAnd did she hear angels singNot so far awayTill at last the sun rose blood-redIn the morning sky

Music: Graham Kendrick © 1994 Make Way Music, Used by permission.