1 ’Twas in the moon of wintertime,
when all the birds had fled,
that mighty Gitchi Manitou*
sent angel choirs instead;
before their light the stars grew dim
and wandering hunters heard the hymn:

Refrain:
"Jesus your King is born,
Jesus is born:
in excelsis gloria!"

2 Within a lodge of broken bark
the tender babe was found,
a ragged robe of rabbit skin
enwrapped his beauty 'round;
but as the hunter braves drew nigh
the angel song rang loud and high: [Refrain]

3 The earliest moon of wintertime
is not so round and fair
as was the ring of glory on
the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt
with gifts of fox and beaver pelt. [Refrain]

4 O children of the forest free,
O sons of Manitou,
the holy Child of earth and heaven
is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy
who brings you beauty, peace and joy. [Refrain]

*Gitchi Manitou = Great God