lyrics and music: Traditional

Born in Bethlehem

Intro (like the first two lines and the tag in a verse)

Verse 1 Children, go where I send thee.

(Tell me) how shall I send thee?

I’m gonna send thee one by one:

(1) One for the little bitty Baby…

…born of the virgin Mary

Tag (He was) born, born, born in Bethlehem.

Verse 2 Children, go where I send thee.

(Tell me) how shall I send thee?

I’m gonna send thee four by four:

(4) Four for the four that stood at the door,

(3) Three for the Hebrew children,

(2) Two for the Paul and Silas,

(1)

…born of the virgin Mary

Tag (He was) born, born, born in Bethlehem.

Verse 3 Children, go where I send thee.

(Tell me) how shall I send thee?

I’m gonna send thee eight by eight:

(8) Eight for the eight that stood at the gate,

(7) Seven for the seven come down from heaven,

(6) Six for the six that couldn’t get fixed,

(5) for the gospel preacher,

(4), (3), (2), (1)

…born of the virgin Mary

Tag (He was) born, born, born in Bethlehem.

Verse 4 Children, go where I send thee.

(Tell me) how shall I send thee?

I’m gonna send thee twelve by twelve:

(12) Twelve for the twelve disciples,

(11) Eleven for the eleven apostles,

(10) Ten for the ten commandments

(9) Nine for the nine that stood in line

(8), (7), (6), (5), (4), (3), (2), (1)

…born of the virgin Mary,

Special Wrapped in swaddlin’ clothin’,

Laid down in a manger,

Tag (He was) born, born, born in Bethlehem. (End)