Now it came to pass in those days There went out a decree From Caesar Augustus on his throne That all the world should be enrolled So Joseph took Mary to the balls And from Nazareth they went To the city of Bethlehem For registration and taxing, right on then The bastard child was born Long before winter's call The bastard child was born Long before winter's call And it came to pass, while they were there That she was great with child Lived in a stable 'til it was done She brought forth her bastard son And as the shepherds in the field Were keeping watch over their flocks at night An angel of the lord Said unto them a saviour has been born The bastard child was born Long before winter's call The bastard child was born Long before winter's call