Uploaded December 2011 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

Buy the new CD or download here: timeriksenmusic.com/starintheeast

A great old carol. I made some new bits and tried to make a translation that's a little less fancy than the common Victorian one. It's one of my favorite songs on my Christmas album "Star in the East," my first totally home made album since the old diy punk days.

CAROL OF THE BIRDS

Star in the east, see how it glows.
What's that sound up above the house?
A thousand little birds all in a troop.
To Bethlehem hurrying two by two.

There in the stable the king of heaven
sleeps with the ass and the Oxen brown.
Tell me you birds why come you here?
We come to adore the Saviour dear.

Just to praise God's only son
with great devotion we have come.
Angels, shepherds birds of the air
All sing along our song so fair.
---------
Hear how the Robin carries her line
Bobolink too with accent fine.
Sing from the meadow, sing from the wood
La la sol la sol mi mi la.

Cardinal kestrel sparrow and jay
Come where the babe lies in the hay
Christ on earth with man doth dwell
Join in the song Noel, Noel!