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Scots Language Centre Centre for the Scots Leid

The School Nativity Play

Gill Bowman and P6/7 from Bellyeoman Primary in Dunfermline wrote this song.

Gill and the class remembered and thought about things that had gone wrong at school nativity plays. Then Gill and the class worked together to write the song. Gill’s work in the school was in 1998-99 and was organised by the New Makars Trust.

School Nativity Play

A wise man opened the curtain too soon
The star in the east fell down with a boom
The innkeeper said 'There's plenty of room'
Oh, it all went wrong on the day

A mouse popped out of the manger straw
Mary screamed and ran for the door
Dropped baby Jesus on the floor
In the school nativity play

Oh, the donkey sneezed and the stable fell down,
One of the three Kings broke his crown
Primary two were the talk of the town
In the school nativity play

Joseph's wee brother was violently sick,
He nearly choked on his lolly stick
So I held out Mum's handbag quick
And it all went wrong on the day

A shepherd made a dash for the loo
The rickety platform split in two
It was just a stage we were going through
In the school nativity play

'Fear not!' the teacher cried as the school bell started ringing
Ding dong merrily on high soon drowned out the carol singing

A spotlight fell and I got the blame
Gabriel's wings made a pretty blue flame
And we all went home when the firemen came
To the school nativity play

Jesus loves me this I know, Rev Harkess told me so.

The School Nativity Play performed by Gill Bowman and P6/7 from Bellyeoman Primary School. From Making New Scots Songs 16, New Makars Trust.