Mary's Boy Child

Words and Music by :  Jester Hairston

Recording #1 by Harry Belafonte
Recording date: July 20, 1956, (13:15-16:45)
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood.
Master number: G2PB 4901
Playing time: 2:59
Producer: Henri Rene & Dennis Farnon
Will Lorin: leader; Antonio Villa: contractor/b. clarinet; Millard Thomas: guitar; Franz Casseus: guitar; Mike Rubin: bass; Wally Fernez: conga; Arnold Manchester: librarian percussion; Louis Singer: percussion; Hal S. Hidey: piano; Marjorie Call: harp; Attilo DePalma: french horn; Victor Garber: saxophone; Jules Jacob: saxophone; Ted Nash: saxophone; Wilbur Schwartz: saxophone; Ennio Bolognini: cello; Joseph Reilich: viola; Israel Baker: violin; Jerome G. Kasin: violin; Robert S. Levine: violin; Gustave Rosseels: violin; Myron K. Sandler: violin; Marshall Sosson: violin.
78: RCA-1022 ??
45: RPX-1022
LP : LPM1402,
CD: BCD16262, 07863-67403-2, 07863-56877-2, 74321-43683-2, 82876-59069-2, RGMCD006


Recording #2 by Harry Belafonte (single version)
Recording date: July 20, 1956, (13:15-16:45)
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood.
Master number: G2PB 4902-8 (J2PW-5655)
Playing time: 4:20
Producer: Henri Rene & Dennis Farnon
Will Lorin: leader; Antonio Villa: contractor/b. clarinet; Millard Thomas: guitar; Franz Casseus: guitar; Mike Rubin: bass; Wally Fernez: conga; Arnold Manchester: librarian percussion; Louis Singer: percussion; Hal S. Hidey: piano; Marjorie Call: harp; Attilo DePalma: french horn; Victor Garber: saxophone; Jules Jacob: saxophone; Ted Nash: saxophone; Wilbur Schwartz: saxophone; Ennio Bolognini: cello; Joseph Reilich: viola; Israel Baker: violin; Jerome G. Kasin: violin; Robert S. Levine: violin; Gustave Rosseels: violin; Myron K. Sandler: violin; Marshall Sosson: violin.
78: 20-6735,
45: 47-6735, 447-0323, 47-1008, EPA-9684, 20437,
LP: LSP2626
Tape: KNS1-0166
CD: CD2626-2-R, BCD16262, 07863-68097-2, 82876-69242-2


Other albums (not checked for which of the above they belong to)
45:  master no. J2PW-5655
45 : RCX-12210250,
LP : LPM-9940, , ADEH28, DRL1-0068,  HB7015, SP-33-92, STAR-103, NA-51411-701, SDL003,
CD: RMB75089, SACD1203, CD036, GSS515374321-10730-2PD89796, 74321-62230-2, 74321-86210-2, 796961, STACD501, ARMCD019, 74321-84443-2, BB61002, 82876-50801-2, GSS5336, 74321-13952-2,

Also recorded by
The Brothers Four CK65364
Greg MacDonald GMM2003
The Merrymen MM011
Jim Reeves RCA EPA-2758
Nina & Fredrik    

Lyrics:

Long time ago in Bethlehem,
so the holy bible say,
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ,
was born on Christmas day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new king born today,
and man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.
Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say,
that man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.

While shepherds watch their flocks by night,
them see a bright new shining star,
them hear a choir sing,
the music seemed to come from afar.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new king born today,
and man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.
Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say,
that man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.

Now Joseph and his wife, Mary,
come to Bethlehem that night,
them find no place to born the child,
not a single room was in sight.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new king born today,
and man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.
Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say,
that man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.

By and by they find a little nook
in a stable all forlorn,
and in a manger cold and dark,
Mary's little boy was born.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new king born today,
and man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.
Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say,
that man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.


Long time ago in Bethlehem,
so the holy bible say,
Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ,
was born on Christmas day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new king born today,
and man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day.
Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say,
that man will live for evermore, because of Christmas day