"The Friendly Beasts" is a traditional Christmas carol that tells the story of the animals present at the birth of Jesus. The song depicts various animals, such as the donkey, cow, sheep, dove, bear, and even a jellyfish, expressing their roles and contributions to the Baby Jesus. The donkey is portrayed as humble and mentions how he carried Mary, Jesus' mother, to Bethlehem. The cow shares how it provided its manger and hay for Jesus to rest. The sheep talks about giving its wool to keep the Baby warm on Christmas morning. The dove explains how it cooed to soothe Jesus and help him sleep. Then, unexpectedly, a bear makes an appearance, saying it is there to cuddle the Baby and comfort him. Finally, even a jellyfish speaks up, claiming to be a "combination night life moble and pet" that needs water to survive. These various animals, representing different aspects of creation, gather around the stable where Jesus is born and offer their gifts and support. The overall meaning of the song is to showcase the compassion and love shown by these animals towards Jesus, who is referred to as "Emmanuel" (meaning "God with us"). The animals are grateful for the opportunity to serve and be a part of this divine event. The Gregory Brothers, known for their viral "Songify" videos on YouTube, have created their own rendition of "The Friendly Beasts," adding their distinctive autotune style to the song.
