A CHRISTMAS BALLAD

A CHRISTMAS BALLAD

                                                                     by 

                                                       Anthony T. Massimini                                                                                                                          (1954)   

Across the moonlit desert sands

   The mission bells were ringing.

'Twas Christmas Eve and in the night,

   Three happy men were singing.

In coming home from Prairie Town

   They'd seen the Christmas Fair,

And luckily, these cowboys three

   Had won some prizes there.

The first one had a cuckoo clock

   With features quite bizarre;

The second had a pretty doll;

   The third, a green guitar.

Between their carols as they rode

   they spoke of the delight

The prizes that they each had won

   would bring their folks that night.

Then, in the sky they saw a star,

   Its darkness rose and fell;

'Twas the electric emblem

   of the Texas Star Motel.

"Let's stop a while," one cowboy said,

   "We've time and home is near,

Let's join the travelers at the inn

   and drink the season's cheer."

The other two they quick agreed,

   The inn was not too far.

So each one turned his sturdy steed

   and started for the star.

Now at the in, the atmosphere

   was extra warm and bright,

For many people, traveling home,

   had stopped there for the night.

The overjoyed proprietor

   was counting each receipt;

His inn was full, his wine well stocked,

   his happiness, complete.

When through the din a quiet knock

   was heard upon the door.

"Too bad," thought the proprietor,

   "I haven't room for more."   

The door came slowly open;

  A Mexican stepped in;

Behind him softly came his wife;

   Her face was dark and thin.

"Please, Mister," said the Mexican,

  "My wife, she very sick;

Please give her some warm place to stay.

   And get a doctor, quick!"

"Hold on!" said the proprietor,

  "I can't do that for you!"

But then he looked again and said,

   "I'll see what I can do."

"Maria," said the Mexican,

   "Have courage, dear, and pray."

Maria smiled, then bowed her head

  and answered, "Yes, Jose'."

Then back came the proprietor,

   and slowly shook his head,

"The only place to stay," said he,

   "Is outside in the shed."

"God bless you!"  said he Mexican.

   And then the lonely pair

Withdrew to find their resting place

   out in the desert air.

Now by this time, the cowboys three

   were nearing the motel;

Their caroling still rent the air,

    and all was going well.

And as they passed an open shed

   that stood beside a hill,

They saw a light and turned to look;

   The sight there stopped them still.

A man was kneeling down in prayer,

    A woman knelt close by;

And from some hay between the two,

   there came a baby's cry!

The cowboys three, they went to see

    this fascinating sight,

And they remembered vividly 

   that other Holy Night

When Wise Men three came bearing gifts

   across a desert far,

And how they found the Holy Child

   by following a star.

Now they too wished to give some gifts

   to this poor couple's son;    

They wondered what; and then

   they spied the prizes they had won.

The first one gave his cuckoo clock,

   with features quite bizarre;

The second gave his pretty doll;

   The third, his green guitar.

Across the midnight desert sands,

   The mission bells were ringing;
'Twas Christmas eve, and in the night,

   Three happy men were singing.