Human Animals

There used to be friendly beasts in Jerusalem
In a stable, they had stood, strong and good
They each stood watching the newborn babe
Each had a duty that each understood

The cow, white and red, had given his bed
The sheep had given his wool for a coat to wear
The donkey had carried his mother to the shed
And the dove had cooed away his fears

But now, in Jerusalem
There are no such beasts
Who, then, roams these lands
From the bloody river to the shining sea?

Some, though pretty, are monsters
While others claim to be men
It really is difficult to tell
Which of these human animals pretend?

There used to be friendly beasts in Jerusalem
The cow, still white, is bloodied red
The donkey and sheep lie gutted
While the dove, wingless, is dead

Now, in Jerusalem
There are no such beasts
Who, then, roams these lands
From bloody river to bloody sea?

Some, though pretty, are monsters
While others claim to be men
It really is not so difficult to see
Which of these human animals are me?
There used to be friendly beasts in Jerusalem
Who would travel these lands, spreading love and joy
Their hearts were heavy with generosity
And their stories did tell of a king, a miraculous boy

But, ow, in Jerusalem
There are no such beasts
Who, then, roams these lands
From bloody river to bloody sea?
Some, though, pretty are monsters
While others claim to be men
It really is not so difficult to see
Which of these human animals are me?

Which of these human animals are me?