Anthem Gentle Mary Laid Her Child from Piae Cantiones, 1582 text Joseph Simpson Cook Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger, There he lay, the undefiled, to the world a stranger. Such a babe in such a place, can he be the Savior? Ask the saved by grace through faith, who have found his favor.Angels sang about his birth; wise men sought and found him; Heaven’s star shone brightly forth, glory all around him. Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, heard the angels’ singing; All the plains were lit that night; all the hills were ringing.Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger, He is still the undefiled, but no more a stranger. Son of God, of humble birth, beautiful the story. Praise his name in all the earth; hail the King of Glory!