A Stick, a Carrot & String (Live)

The horse's hay beneath His head, our Lord was born to a manger bed

That all whose wells run dry could drink of His supply

To keep Him warm, the sheep drew near, so grateful for His coming here

You come with news of grace, come to take my place

And the donkey whispered in His ear, "Child, in 30-some-odd years

You'll ride someone who looks like me, untriumphantly"

And the cardinal warbled a joyful song, "He'll make right what man made wrong

Bringing low the hills, that the valleys might be filled"

Then "Child," asked the birds, "well, aren't they lovely words we sing?"

The tiny baby lay there without saying anything

At a distance stood a mangy goat with the crooked teeth and a matted coat

Weary eyes and worn, chipped and twisted horns

Thinking, "Maybe I'll make friends someday with the cows and the hens and the rambouillet

But for now, I'll keep away, I got nothing smart to say"

But there's a sign on the barn in the cabbage town

"When the rain picks up and the sun goes down

Sinners, come inside, with no money, come and buy

No clever talk, nor a gift to bring requires our lowly, lovely King

Come you empty-handed, you don't need anything"

The night was cold and clear as glass

With the sneaking snake in the garden grass

As deep cried out to deep, the disciples fast asleep

And the snake perked up when he heard You ask

"If You're willing that this cup might pass

We could find our way back home, start a family all our own"

"Does not the Father guide the Son? Not My will, Thine be done

What else here to do? What else Me, but You?"

And the snake who'd held the world, a stick, a carrot, and a string

Was crushed beneath the foot of Your not wanting anything