Caroling Dusk/Nativity

For works with similar titles, see Nativity.
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NATIVITY

Within a native hut, ere stirred the dawn,Unto the Pure One was an Infant bornWrapped in blue lappah that his mother dyed.Laid on his father’s home-tanned deer-skin hideThe babe still slept by all things glorified.Spirits of black bards burst their bonds and sang,“Peace upon earth” until the heavens rang.All the black babies who from earth had fled,Peeped through the clouds, then gathered round His head.Telling of things a baby needs to do,When first he opens his eyes on wonders new;Telling Him that to sleep was sweeter rest,All comfort came from His black mother’s breast.Their gifts were of Love caught from the springing sod,Whilst tears and laughter were the gifts of God.Then all the wise men of the past stood forthFilling the air East, West, and South and North;And told him of the joys that wisdom bringsTo mortals in their earthly wanderings.The children of the past shook down each bough,Wreathed Frangepani blossoms for His brow;They put pink lilies in His mother’s hand, ​And heaped for both the first fruits of the land.His father cut some palm fronds that the airBe coaxed to zephyrs while He rested there.Birds trilled their hallelujahs; and the dewTrembled with laughter till the babe laughed too.All the black women brought their love so wise,And kissed their motherhood into his mother’s eyes.

Note: lappah—a straight woven cloth tied round the waist to form a skirt.

Note: Frangepani—An African flower.

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