Mary's boy child - chords, tab and comments

Serving 98 years of inprisonment in entertaining business, Jester Hairston was finally set free January 18th 2000. He is immortalised for writing this song, first recorded 1956 by the legend Harry Belafonte, later made irrecognizable by several dozens of artists. He also wrote/rearranged "Amen" from the Sidney Poitier film, "Lilies of the Field" - and dubbed it himself, because Poitier could not sing. Barely act. Himself, he was multi-talented. He was a singer, musician, composer, and actor. He is found as minor actor in lots of award-winning movies. His major influence in entertainment business, is probably his background engagement arranging Dimitri Tiomkin's compositions for decades. But *this* song is in my mind his masterpiece. It's worth those 98 years ... solely.

D          D7     G    Em
long time ago in Bethlehem
       A     A7    D
so the Holy Bible say:
D       D7        G    Em
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ
     D         A7      D
was born on Christmas day

D         G        A7     D      Bm       Em     A  A7
hark now hear the angels sing a new king born today
    D         D7     G     Em     D        A7        D
and man will live forever more because of Christmas day
D         G            A7      D    Bm        Em        A  A7
trumpets sound and the angels sing listen to what they say
     D         D7     G     Em     D        A7        D
that man will live forever more because of Christmas day