Gross misinterpretation

It may have been well and good for the lyricists of traditional Christmas carols to have used the language of their day. But what is a modern person supposed to interpret from verse 4 of "While shepherds watched..."?

"The heavenly Babe

You there shall find

To human view displayed

And meanly wrapped

In swathing bands

And in a manger laid

And in a manger laid."

Today, such lyrics would be deemed totally obscene and slapped with a Parental Advisory Warning label.