Christmas songs with calypso rhythms are a precious part of our musical traditions. Because of the celebration of the birth in our nativity story from long ago, we sometimes skip over emotionally the painful aspects of 'no room at the inn'. This particularly would have been true because the word 'inn' also translates from the Greek language as 'dwelling(s)', which could infer that Mary and Joseph were turned away from a number of attempts to find a room for the birth of their infant.
That sad aspect of the original nativity carries forward now-a-days wherever access to a hospital or clinic where an infant can be born in a safe environment is denied. This story was written at a time when entrance to hospitals and schools was often denied to those living 'on the wrong side of the wall'. It remains a barrier in terms of any emergency access, in terms of timing, with the process of crossing points through the wall remaining an every day reality.
It was so wonderful listening to this recording. It's the first time, I confess, in many years. The soloist, our eldest daughter, Shaelah, was twelve at the time, with her brother, Lliam 10, Thaesha 5 and Naidan 3. Other voices include the Botrills and the Browns, along with Beth, Sarah, Shalayna, and others whose names I will add to this as I find them.
No Room for a Baby in Bethlehem
(Youth Chorus and soloist)
They were cold and in need, but the answer was clear
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
With the timing so close, still no comfort was near
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
But a stable was safe from the wind in the night
With no room for a baby in Bethlehem
And with candles for warmth and the glow of the light
With no room for a baby in Bethlehem
And here again it is true
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
As if it happens to you
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
With a blink of the eye and the hospital's closed
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
And a world that can see, as if everyone knows
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
Now a mother knows why for a manger 's a bed
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
Basic comforts are near but they're hearing instead
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
Why has it happened this way?
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
Why is it still heard today?
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
Here now, a new life is yearning
That all of us hold in our trembling hands
How can we act from the learning
Of no room for a baby in Bethlehem
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
Still the angels sing peace on the earth for all time
But here's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
And there's love to be shared, as much yours as it's mine
When there's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
We must never believe in the forces of fear
When there's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
For our Saviour is born in each life again here
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
We all can see that it's true
With our love for for a baby in Bethlehem
We must be born anew
With our love for for a baby in Bethlehem
Here now, a new life is yearning
That all of us hold in our trembling hands
How can we act from the learning
Of no room for a baby in Bethlehem
There's no room for a baby in Bethlehem
Hold now believing each hour
The light in the love that we all still share
We must believe in the power
Always room for the baby in Bethlehem
(Youth with tourists:)
Always room for the baby in Bethlehem
Always room for the baby in Bethlehem
Written by David A. Buckley (SOCAN) © 2006 all rights reserved