Who is knocking: Text and sheet music to sing together
This song from the beginning of the 19th century tells of the search for shelter in Bethlehem. Melody and lyrics come from Upper Bavaria.
Who is knocking
1. “Who is knocking?” “O two very poor people!”
“What do you want?” “O give us shelter today!
Oh, through God’s love, we ask, please
open your huts to us!”
“Oh, no, no, no!” “Oh, let us in!”
“It can’t be.” “We want to be thankful.”
“No, no, no, it can’t be.
Just go away, you won’t come in.”
2. (at the 2nd innkeeper) “Who is at the door?” “A woman with her husband.”
“What do you want?”
Let us live with you today.
God will reward you for everything!”
“What are you paying me?” “We don’t have any money!”
“Then get out of here!” “Oh, open the door for us!”
“Don’t rush me,
grab it, go elsewhere!”
3. (at the 3rd innkeeper) “What are you crying about?” “We’re freezing from the cold.”
“Who’s to blame for it?”
Everywhere we are rejected,
every gate is closed to us!”
“So just stay outside!” “Oh, open the house for us!”
“Nothing will come of it.” “Show us another house.”
“Go there to the next door!
I don’t have room, just get out of here!”
4. (at the 4th innkeeper) “Go away!” “O friend, where to, from where?”
“A cattle shed there!” “O Josef, get out!
Oh, my child, according to God’s will
you must feel the poverty!”
“Now pack yourselves away!” “Oh, that harsh word!”
“To the cattle shed there!” “Oh, it must be a bad place!” “Oh
, the place is good for you;
you don’t need much, you can do it straight away!«