This is a very old African-American Spiritual. I take great liberties with the lyrics, however, as the original ones don’t seem as fitting. For example, the second verse used to be “Two for Paul and Silas”. Those two characters do not have the same role in the Christmas story as Mary and Joseph do. I choose to use the characters my students are familiar with, and we create the lyrics together.
-- Denise Gagné Williamson
Children, go where I send thee?
How shall I send thee?
I will send thee one by one
One for the itty bitty baby
Born, born
Born in Bethlehem
Additional verses:
I shall send thee....
Two by two, two for Mary and Joseph, one for the itty-bitty baby....
Three by three, three for the wisemen riding, two for Mary and Joseph, one for ....
Four by four, four for the shepherds watching, three for the wisemen riding.....
Five by five, five for the beasts that were guarding, four for the shepherds who were watching....
Six by six, six for the angels who were singing, five for the beasts that were guarding,
shepherds that were watching, three for the wisemen riding, two for Mary and
Joseph, one for the itty-bitty baby, born, born, born, born, born on Christmas day!
