EARLY CAROLS

WELCOME Yule, thou merry man,In worship of this holy day.Welcome be thou, heaven-king,Welcome, born in a morning,Welcome, for whom we shall singWelcome Yule.Welcome be ye, Stephen and John,Welcome Innocents, every one;Welcome Thomas, martyr one;Welcome Yule.Welcome be ye, good new year,Welcome Twelfth day, both in fere;Welcome Saintës, lief and dear;Welcome Yule.Welcome be ye, Candlemas,Welcome be ye, Queen of bliss,Welcome both to more or less,Welcome Yule.Welcome be ye that are here;Welcome all and make good cheer;Welcome all, another year,Welcome Yule.

WELCOME Yule, thou merry man,In worship of this holy day.

WELCOME Yule, thou merry man,

In worship of this holy day.

Welcome be thou, heaven-king,Welcome, born in a morning,Welcome, for whom we shall singWelcome Yule.

Welcome be thou, heaven-king,

Welcome, born in a morning,

Welcome, for whom we shall sing

Welcome Yule.

Welcome be ye, Stephen and John,Welcome Innocents, every one;Welcome Thomas, martyr one;Welcome Yule.

Welcome be ye, Stephen and John,

Welcome Innocents, every one;

Welcome Thomas, martyr one;

Welcome Yule.

Welcome be ye, good new year,Welcome Twelfth day, both in fere;Welcome Saintës, lief and dear;Welcome Yule.

Welcome be ye, good new year,

Welcome Twelfth day, both in fere;

Welcome Saintës, lief and dear;

Welcome Yule.

Welcome be ye, Candlemas,Welcome be ye, Queen of bliss,Welcome both to more or less,Welcome Yule.

Welcome be ye, Candlemas,

Welcome be ye, Queen of bliss,

Welcome both to more or less,

Welcome Yule.

Welcome be ye that are here;Welcome all and make good cheer;Welcome all, another year,Welcome Yule.

Welcome be ye that are here;

Welcome all and make good cheer;

Welcome all, another year,

Welcome Yule.

ISING of a maidenThat is makeless;[1]King of all kingësTo her son she ches;[2]He came also[3]stillThere his mother was,As dew in AprilThat falleth on the grass.He came also stillTo his mother’s bower,As dew in AprilThat falleth on the flower.He came also stillThere his mother lay,As dew in AprilThat falleth on the spray.Mother and maidenWas never none but she;Well may such a ladyGoddes mother be.

ISING of a maiden

That is makeless;[1]

King of all kingës

To her son she ches;[2]

He came also[3]still

There his mother was,

As dew in April

That falleth on the grass.

He came also still

To his mother’s bower,

As dew in April

That falleth on the flower.

He came also still

There his mother lay,

As dew in April

That falleth on the spray.

Mother and maiden

Was never none but she;

Well may such a lady

Goddes mother be.

[1]Matchless.

[2]Chose.

[3]As.

AS Joseph was a-walkingHe heard an angel sing:—‘This night shall be bornOur heavenly King;‘He neither shall be bornIn housen nor in hall,Nor in the place of Paradise,But in an ox’s stall;‘He neither shall be clothedIn purple nor in pall,But all in fair linenAs were babies all.‘He neither shall be rockedIn silver nor in gold,But in a wooden cradleThat rocks on the mould.‘He neither shall be christenedIn white wine or red,But with fair spring waterWith which we were christened.’

AS Joseph was a-walkingHe heard an angel sing:—‘This night shall be bornOur heavenly King;

AS Joseph was a-walking

He heard an angel sing:—

‘This night shall be born

Our heavenly King;

‘He neither shall be bornIn housen nor in hall,Nor in the place of Paradise,But in an ox’s stall;

‘He neither shall be born

In housen nor in hall,

Nor in the place of Paradise,

But in an ox’s stall;

‘He neither shall be clothedIn purple nor in pall,But all in fair linenAs were babies all.

‘He neither shall be clothed

In purple nor in pall,

But all in fair linen

As were babies all.

‘He neither shall be rockedIn silver nor in gold,But in a wooden cradleThat rocks on the mould.

‘He neither shall be rocked

In silver nor in gold,

But in a wooden cradle

That rocks on the mould.

‘He neither shall be christenedIn white wine or red,But with fair spring waterWith which we were christened.’

‘He neither shall be christened

In white wine or red,

But with fair spring water

With which we were christened.’

NOW is Christëmas ycome,Father and Son together in one,Holy Ghost as ye be oneIn fere,God send us a good new year.I would you sing and I mightOf a Child is fair in sight,His mother him bare this endris[4]nightSo still,And as it was his will.There came three kings fro GalileeInto Bethlem, that fair citee,To seek him that should ever beBy right,Lord and king and knight.As they came forth with their off’ring,They met with Herod, that moody king,This tide,And this to them he said,‘Of whence be ye, you kingës three?’‘Of the East, as ye may see,To seek him that should ever beBy right,Lord and king and knight.’‘When you at this child have beCome home again by me,Tell me the sights that you have see,I pray,Go you no nother way.’They took their leave both old and ying[5]Of Herod, that moody king:They went forth with their offeringBy night,By the star that shone so bright,Till they came in to the placeWhere Jesu and his mother was;Offered they up with great solaceIn fere,Gold and ’cense and myrrh.When they had their offering madeAs the Holy Ghost them bade,Then were they both merry and gladAnd light:It was a well fair sight.Anon as they away wentThe Father of heaven an angel sentTo these three Kings that made presentThis tide,And thus to them he said,‘My Lord have warned you every oneBy Herod king you go not home:For an you do he will you sloweAnd strow,[6]And do you mickle woe.’They yeden all another wayThorough the might of Goddes lay[7]As the angel to them did sayFull right:It was a well fair sight.When they were come to their countreeGlad and blithe they were all threeOf the sights that they had see;By dene[8]The company was clean.Kneel we now here adown;Pray we in good devotionTo the King of great renownFor graceIn heaven to have a place.

NOW is Christëmas ycome,Father and Son together in one,Holy Ghost as ye be oneIn fere,God send us a good new year.

NOW is Christëmas ycome,

Father and Son together in one,

Holy Ghost as ye be one

In fere,

God send us a good new year.

I would you sing and I mightOf a Child is fair in sight,His mother him bare this endris[4]nightSo still,And as it was his will.

I would you sing and I might

Of a Child is fair in sight,

His mother him bare this endris[4]night

So still,

And as it was his will.

There came three kings fro GalileeInto Bethlem, that fair citee,To seek him that should ever beBy right,Lord and king and knight.

There came three kings fro Galilee

Into Bethlem, that fair citee,

To seek him that should ever be

By right,

Lord and king and knight.

As they came forth with their off’ring,They met with Herod, that moody king,This tide,And this to them he said,

As they came forth with their off’ring,

They met with Herod, that moody king,

This tide,

And this to them he said,

‘Of whence be ye, you kingës three?’‘Of the East, as ye may see,To seek him that should ever beBy right,Lord and king and knight.’

‘Of whence be ye, you kingës three?’

‘Of the East, as ye may see,

To seek him that should ever be

By right,

Lord and king and knight.’

‘When you at this child have beCome home again by me,Tell me the sights that you have see,I pray,Go you no nother way.’

‘When you at this child have be

Come home again by me,

Tell me the sights that you have see,

I pray,

Go you no nother way.’

They took their leave both old and ying[5]Of Herod, that moody king:They went forth with their offeringBy night,By the star that shone so bright,

They took their leave both old and ying[5]

Of Herod, that moody king:

They went forth with their offering

By night,

By the star that shone so bright,

Till they came in to the placeWhere Jesu and his mother was;Offered they up with great solaceIn fere,Gold and ’cense and myrrh.

Till they came in to the place

Where Jesu and his mother was;

Offered they up with great solace

In fere,

Gold and ’cense and myrrh.

When they had their offering madeAs the Holy Ghost them bade,Then were they both merry and gladAnd light:It was a well fair sight.

When they had their offering made

As the Holy Ghost them bade,

Then were they both merry and glad

And light:

It was a well fair sight.

Anon as they away wentThe Father of heaven an angel sentTo these three Kings that made presentThis tide,And thus to them he said,

Anon as they away went

The Father of heaven an angel sent

To these three Kings that made present

This tide,

And thus to them he said,

‘My Lord have warned you every oneBy Herod king you go not home:For an you do he will you sloweAnd strow,[6]And do you mickle woe.’

‘My Lord have warned you every one

By Herod king you go not home:

For an you do he will you slowe

And strow,[6]

And do you mickle woe.’

They yeden all another wayThorough the might of Goddes lay[7]As the angel to them did sayFull right:It was a well fair sight.

They yeden all another way

Thorough the might of Goddes lay[7]

As the angel to them did say

Full right:

It was a well fair sight.

When they were come to their countreeGlad and blithe they were all threeOf the sights that they had see;By dene[8]The company was clean.

When they were come to their countree

Glad and blithe they were all three

Of the sights that they had see;

By dene[8]

The company was clean.

Kneel we now here adown;Pray we in good devotionTo the King of great renownFor graceIn heaven to have a place.

Kneel we now here adown;

Pray we in good devotion

To the King of great renown

For grace

In heaven to have a place.

[4]Last.

[5]Young.

[6]Lay low.

[7]Law.

[8]Forthwith.

THIS endris[9]nightI saw a sight,A star as bright as day;And ever among[10]A maiden sungLullay, byby, lullay.This lovely lady sat and sang, and to her child gan say,‘My son, my brother, my father dear, why liest thou thus in hay?My sweetë brid,[11]Thus it is betidThough thou be King veray;But, nevertheless,I will not ceaseTo sing byby, lullay.’The child then spake in his talking; and to his mother said—‘I am beknown for heaven’s king, in crib though I be laid;For angels brightDown to me light,Thou knowest it is no nay.And of that sightThou mayest be light,To sing byby, lullay.’‘Now sweetë son, since thou art king, why art thou laid in stall?Why ne thou ordainèd thy bedding in some great kingës hall?Methinketh it rightThat king or knightShould lie in good array;And then amongIt were no wrongTo sing byby, lullay.’‘Mary, mother, I am thy child, though I be laid in stall,Lords and dukes shall worship me, and so shall kingës all.Ye shall well see,The kingës threeShall come the twelfthë day;For this behestGive me thy breast,And sing byby, lullay.’‘Now tell me, sweet son, I thee pray, thou art me lief and dear,How should I keep thee to thy pay,[12]and make thee glad of cheer?For all thy willI would fulfil,Thou weet’st full well in fay.[13]And for all thisI will thee kiss,And sing byby, lullay.’‘My dear mother, when time it be, thou take me up aloft,And settë me upon thy knee, and handle me full soft.And in thy armThou hile[14]me warm,And keepë night and day;If I weepAnd may not sleep,Thou sing byby, lullay.’‘Now, sweet son, since it is so, that all is at thy will,I pray thee grant to me a boon if it be right and skill,[15]That child or manThat will or canBe merry upon my day;To bliss them bring,And I shall singLullay, byby, lullay.’

THIS endris[9]nightI saw a sight,A star as bright as day;And ever among[10]A maiden sungLullay, byby, lullay.

THIS endris[9]night

I saw a sight,

A star as bright as day;

And ever among[10]

A maiden sung

Lullay, byby, lullay.

This lovely lady sat and sang, and to her child gan say,‘My son, my brother, my father dear, why liest thou thus in hay?My sweetë brid,[11]Thus it is betidThough thou be King veray;But, nevertheless,I will not ceaseTo sing byby, lullay.’

This lovely lady sat and sang, and to her child gan say,

‘My son, my brother, my father dear, why liest thou thus in hay?

My sweetë brid,[11]

Thus it is betid

Though thou be King veray;

But, nevertheless,

I will not cease

To sing byby, lullay.’

The child then spake in his talking; and to his mother said—‘I am beknown for heaven’s king, in crib though I be laid;For angels brightDown to me light,Thou knowest it is no nay.And of that sightThou mayest be light,To sing byby, lullay.’

The child then spake in his talking; and to his mother said—

‘I am beknown for heaven’s king, in crib though I be laid;

For angels bright

Down to me light,

Thou knowest it is no nay.

And of that sight

Thou mayest be light,

To sing byby, lullay.’

‘Now sweetë son, since thou art king, why art thou laid in stall?Why ne thou ordainèd thy bedding in some great kingës hall?Methinketh it rightThat king or knightShould lie in good array;And then amongIt were no wrongTo sing byby, lullay.’

‘Now sweetë son, since thou art king, why art thou laid in stall?

Why ne thou ordainèd thy bedding in some great kingës hall?

Methinketh it right

That king or knight

Should lie in good array;

And then among

It were no wrong

To sing byby, lullay.’

‘Mary, mother, I am thy child, though I be laid in stall,Lords and dukes shall worship me, and so shall kingës all.Ye shall well see,The kingës threeShall come the twelfthë day;For this behestGive me thy breast,And sing byby, lullay.’

‘Mary, mother, I am thy child, though I be laid in stall,

Lords and dukes shall worship me, and so shall kingës all.

Ye shall well see,

The kingës three

Shall come the twelfthë day;

For this behest

Give me thy breast,

And sing byby, lullay.’

‘Now tell me, sweet son, I thee pray, thou art me lief and dear,How should I keep thee to thy pay,[12]and make thee glad of cheer?For all thy willI would fulfil,Thou weet’st full well in fay.[13]And for all thisI will thee kiss,And sing byby, lullay.’

‘Now tell me, sweet son, I thee pray, thou art me lief and dear,

How should I keep thee to thy pay,[12]and make thee glad of cheer?

For all thy will

I would fulfil,

Thou weet’st full well in fay.[13]

And for all this

I will thee kiss,

And sing byby, lullay.’

‘My dear mother, when time it be, thou take me up aloft,And settë me upon thy knee, and handle me full soft.And in thy armThou hile[14]me warm,And keepë night and day;If I weepAnd may not sleep,Thou sing byby, lullay.’

‘My dear mother, when time it be, thou take me up aloft,

And settë me upon thy knee, and handle me full soft.

And in thy arm

Thou hile[14]me warm,

And keepë night and day;

If I weep

And may not sleep,

Thou sing byby, lullay.’

‘Now, sweet son, since it is so, that all is at thy will,I pray thee grant to me a boon if it be right and skill,[15]That child or manThat will or canBe merry upon my day;To bliss them bring,And I shall singLullay, byby, lullay.’

‘Now, sweet son, since it is so, that all is at thy will,

I pray thee grant to me a boon if it be right and skill,[15]

That child or man

That will or can

Be merry upon my day;

To bliss them bring,

And I shall sing

Lullay, byby, lullay.’

[9]Last.

[10]Anon.

[11]Bird.

[12]Content.

[13]Faith.

[14]Cover.

[15]Reasonable.

LULLAY, my liking, my dear son, my sweeting,Lullay, my dear heart, my own dear darling.I saw a fair maiden sitten and sing.She lulled a little child, a sweet lording.Lullay, &c.That ilke lord is that that made all thing,Of all lordës he is lord, of all kingës king.Lullay, &c.There was mickle melody at that childës birth,All that were in heaven’s bliss they made mickle mirth.Lullay, &c.Angels bright they sung that night and saiden to that child,Blessed be thou, and so be she that is both meek and mild.Lullay, &c.Pray we now to that child, and to his mother dear.Grant them his blessing that now maken cheer.Lullay, &c.

LULLAY, my liking, my dear son, my sweeting,Lullay, my dear heart, my own dear darling.

LULLAY, my liking, my dear son, my sweeting,

Lullay, my dear heart, my own dear darling.

I saw a fair maiden sitten and sing.She lulled a little child, a sweet lording.Lullay, &c.

I saw a fair maiden sitten and sing.

She lulled a little child, a sweet lording.

Lullay, &c.

That ilke lord is that that made all thing,Of all lordës he is lord, of all kingës king.Lullay, &c.

That ilke lord is that that made all thing,

Of all lordës he is lord, of all kingës king.

Lullay, &c.

There was mickle melody at that childës birth,All that were in heaven’s bliss they made mickle mirth.Lullay, &c.

There was mickle melody at that childës birth,

All that were in heaven’s bliss they made mickle mirth.

Lullay, &c.

Angels bright they sung that night and saiden to that child,Blessed be thou, and so be she that is both meek and mild.Lullay, &c.

Angels bright they sung that night and saiden to that child,

Blessed be thou, and so be she that is both meek and mild.

Lullay, &c.

Pray we now to that child, and to his mother dear.Grant them his blessing that now maken cheer.Lullay, &c.

Pray we now to that child, and to his mother dear.

Grant them his blessing that now maken cheer.

Lullay, &c.

SAINT Stephen was a clerkIn King Herodës hall,And servèd him of bread and clothAs every king befall.Stephen out of kitchen came,With boarës head on hand,He saw a star was fair and brightOver Bethlem stand.He cast adown the boarës headAnd went into the hall:‘I forsake thee, King Herodës,And thy workës all.‘I forsake thee, King Herodës,And thy werkës all;There is a child in Bethlem bornIs better than we all.’‘What aileth thee, Stephen?What is thee befall?Lacketh thee either meat or drinkIn King Herodës hall?’‘Lacketh me neither meat ne drinkIn King Herodës hall;There is a child in Bethlem bornIs better than we all.’‘What aileth thee, Stephen? Art thou wode[16]Or thou ginnest to breed?[17]Lacketh thee either gold or heOr any richë weed?’[18]‘Lacketh me neither gold or fee,Ne none richë weed;There is a child in Bethlem bornShall help us at our need.’‘That is also[19]sooth, Stephen,Also sooth, i-wis,[20]As this capon crowë shallThat lieth here in my dish.’That word was not so soonë said,That word in that hall,The capon crew, ‘Christus natus est,’Among the lordës all.‘Riseth up, my tormentors,By two and also by one,And leadeth Stephen out of this town,And stoneth him with stone.’Tooken they StephenAnd stoned him in the way,And therefore is his evenOn Christës own day.

SAINT Stephen was a clerkIn King Herodës hall,And servèd him of bread and clothAs every king befall.

SAINT Stephen was a clerk

In King Herodës hall,

And servèd him of bread and cloth

As every king befall.

Stephen out of kitchen came,With boarës head on hand,He saw a star was fair and brightOver Bethlem stand.

Stephen out of kitchen came,

With boarës head on hand,

He saw a star was fair and bright

Over Bethlem stand.

He cast adown the boarës headAnd went into the hall:‘I forsake thee, King Herodës,And thy workës all.

He cast adown the boarës head

And went into the hall:

‘I forsake thee, King Herodës,

And thy workës all.

‘I forsake thee, King Herodës,And thy werkës all;There is a child in Bethlem bornIs better than we all.’

‘I forsake thee, King Herodës,

And thy werkës all;

There is a child in Bethlem born

Is better than we all.’

‘What aileth thee, Stephen?What is thee befall?Lacketh thee either meat or drinkIn King Herodës hall?’

‘What aileth thee, Stephen?

What is thee befall?

Lacketh thee either meat or drink

In King Herodës hall?’

‘Lacketh me neither meat ne drinkIn King Herodës hall;There is a child in Bethlem bornIs better than we all.’

‘Lacketh me neither meat ne drink

In King Herodës hall;

There is a child in Bethlem born

Is better than we all.’

‘What aileth thee, Stephen? Art thou wode[16]Or thou ginnest to breed?[17]Lacketh thee either gold or heOr any richë weed?’[18]

‘What aileth thee, Stephen? Art thou wode[16]

Or thou ginnest to breed?[17]

Lacketh thee either gold or he

Or any richë weed?’[18]

‘Lacketh me neither gold or fee,Ne none richë weed;There is a child in Bethlem bornShall help us at our need.’

‘Lacketh me neither gold or fee,

Ne none richë weed;

There is a child in Bethlem born

Shall help us at our need.’

‘That is also[19]sooth, Stephen,Also sooth, i-wis,[20]As this capon crowë shallThat lieth here in my dish.’

‘That is also[19]sooth, Stephen,

Also sooth, i-wis,[20]

As this capon crowë shall

That lieth here in my dish.’

That word was not so soonë said,That word in that hall,The capon crew, ‘Christus natus est,’Among the lordës all.

That word was not so soonë said,

That word in that hall,

The capon crew, ‘Christus natus est,’

Among the lordës all.

‘Riseth up, my tormentors,By two and also by one,And leadeth Stephen out of this town,And stoneth him with stone.’

‘Riseth up, my tormentors,

By two and also by one,

And leadeth Stephen out of this town,

And stoneth him with stone.’

Tooken they StephenAnd stoned him in the way,And therefore is his evenOn Christës own day.

Tooken they Stephen

And stoned him in the way,

And therefore is his even

On Christës own day.

[16]Mad.

[17]Become (mad).

[18]Dress.

[19]As.

[20]Certainly.

Angel.HERDMEN hend,[21]Dread ye no thingOf this star that ye do see;For this same mornGod’s son is bornIn Bethlem of a maiden free.First Shepherd.Hail maid, mother, and wife so mild!As the angel said, so have we fand.I have nothing to present with thy childBut my pipe; hold, hold, take it in thy hand;Wherein much pleasure that I have fand;And now, to honour thy glorious birth,Thou shalt it have to make thee mirth.Second Shepherd.Now, hail be thou, child, and thy dame!For in a poor lodging here art thou laid,So the angel said and told us thy name;Hold, take thou here my hat on thy head!And now of one thing thou art well sped,For weather thou hast no need to complain,For wind, ne sun, hail, snow, and rain.Third Shepherd.Hail be thou, Lord over water and lands!For thy coming all we may make mirth.Have here my mittens to put on thy hands,Other Treasure have I none to present thee with.Mary.Now, herdmen bend,For your comingTo my child shall I pray,As he is heaven kingTo grant you his blessingAnd to his bliss that ye may wendAt your last day.Here the Shepherds sing:As I out rode this enderes[22]nightOf three jolly shepherds I saw a sight,And all about their fold a star shone bright;They sangterli,terlow;So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.Down from heaven, from heaven so high,Of angels there came a great company,With mirth and joy and great solemnity,They sangterli,terlow;So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.

Angel.HERDMEN hend,[21]Dread ye no thingOf this star that ye do see;For this same mornGod’s son is bornIn Bethlem of a maiden free.

Angel.

HERDMEN hend,[21]

Dread ye no thing

Of this star that ye do see;

For this same morn

God’s son is born

In Bethlem of a maiden free.

First Shepherd.Hail maid, mother, and wife so mild!As the angel said, so have we fand.I have nothing to present with thy childBut my pipe; hold, hold, take it in thy hand;Wherein much pleasure that I have fand;And now, to honour thy glorious birth,Thou shalt it have to make thee mirth.

First Shepherd.

Hail maid, mother, and wife so mild!

As the angel said, so have we fand.

I have nothing to present with thy child

But my pipe; hold, hold, take it in thy hand;

Wherein much pleasure that I have fand;

And now, to honour thy glorious birth,

Thou shalt it have to make thee mirth.

Second Shepherd.Now, hail be thou, child, and thy dame!For in a poor lodging here art thou laid,So the angel said and told us thy name;Hold, take thou here my hat on thy head!And now of one thing thou art well sped,For weather thou hast no need to complain,For wind, ne sun, hail, snow, and rain.

Second Shepherd.

Now, hail be thou, child, and thy dame!

For in a poor lodging here art thou laid,

So the angel said and told us thy name;

Hold, take thou here my hat on thy head!

And now of one thing thou art well sped,

For weather thou hast no need to complain,

For wind, ne sun, hail, snow, and rain.

Third Shepherd.Hail be thou, Lord over water and lands!For thy coming all we may make mirth.Have here my mittens to put on thy hands,Other Treasure have I none to present thee with.

Third Shepherd.

Hail be thou, Lord over water and lands!

For thy coming all we may make mirth.

Have here my mittens to put on thy hands,

Other Treasure have I none to present thee with.

Mary.Now, herdmen bend,For your comingTo my child shall I pray,As he is heaven kingTo grant you his blessingAnd to his bliss that ye may wendAt your last day.

Mary.

Now, herdmen bend,

For your coming

To my child shall I pray,

As he is heaven king

To grant you his blessing

And to his bliss that ye may wend

At your last day.

Here the Shepherds sing:As I out rode this enderes[22]nightOf three jolly shepherds I saw a sight,And all about their fold a star shone bright;They sangterli,terlow;So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.

Here the Shepherds sing:

As I out rode this enderes[22]night

Of three jolly shepherds I saw a sight,

And all about their fold a star shone bright;

They sangterli,terlow;

So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.

Down from heaven, from heaven so high,Of angels there came a great company,With mirth and joy and great solemnity,They sangterli,terlow;So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.

Down from heaven, from heaven so high,

Of angels there came a great company,

With mirth and joy and great solemnity,

They sangterli,terlow;

So merrily the shepherds their pipes can blow.

[21]Courteous.

[22]Last.

CAN I not sing but Hoy!When the jolly shepherd made so much joy!The shepherd upon a hill he sat,He had on him his tabard and his hat,His tar-box, his pipe, and his flagat.His name was called Jolly, Jolly Wat;For he was a good herds-boy,Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy.Can I not sing but hoy.The shepherd upon a hill was laid,His dog to his girdle was tayd,He had not slept but a little braid,Butgloria in excelsiswas to him said;Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.The shepherd on a hill he stood,Round about him his sheep they yode,He put his hand under his hood,He saw a star as red as blood.Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.Now farewell Mall, and also Will,For my love go ye all still,Unto I come again you till,And ever more Will ring well thy bell.Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.Now must I go there Christ was born,Farewell, I come again to-morn;Dog, keep well my sheep fro the corn,And warn well Warroke when I blow my horn!Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.When Wat to Bethlehem come was,He sweat, he had gone faster than a pace.He found Jesus in a simple place,Between an ox and an ass.Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.The shepherd said anon right:‘I will go see yon ferly[23]sight,Where as the angel singeth on-height,And the star that shineth so bright!’Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.‘Jesus, I offer to thee here my pipe,My skirt, my tar-box, and my scrip,Home to my fellows now will I skip,And also look unto my sheep!’Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.‘Now farewell, mine own herds-man Wat!’‘Yea,’fore God, Lady, even so I hat![24]Lull well Jesus in thy lap.And farewell, Joseph, with thy round cap!’Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.‘Now may I well both hop and sing,For I have been at Christ’s bearing;Home to my fellows now will I fling;Christ of heaven to His bliss us bring!Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

CAN I not sing but Hoy!When the jolly shepherd made so much joy!

CAN I not sing but Hoy!

When the jolly shepherd made so much joy!

The shepherd upon a hill he sat,He had on him his tabard and his hat,His tar-box, his pipe, and his flagat.His name was called Jolly, Jolly Wat;For he was a good herds-boy,Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy.Can I not sing but hoy.

The shepherd upon a hill he sat,

He had on him his tabard and his hat,

His tar-box, his pipe, and his flagat.

His name was called Jolly, Jolly Wat;

For he was a good herds-boy,

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy.

Can I not sing but hoy.

The shepherd upon a hill was laid,His dog to his girdle was tayd,He had not slept but a little braid,Butgloria in excelsiswas to him said;Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

The shepherd upon a hill was laid,

His dog to his girdle was tayd,

He had not slept but a little braid,

Butgloria in excelsiswas to him said;

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

Can I not sing, &c.

The shepherd on a hill he stood,Round about him his sheep they yode,He put his hand under his hood,He saw a star as red as blood.Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

The shepherd on a hill he stood,

Round about him his sheep they yode,

He put his hand under his hood,

He saw a star as red as blood.

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

Can I not sing, &c.

Now farewell Mall, and also Will,For my love go ye all still,Unto I come again you till,And ever more Will ring well thy bell.Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

Now farewell Mall, and also Will,

For my love go ye all still,

Unto I come again you till,

And ever more Will ring well thy bell.

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

Can I not sing, &c.

Now must I go there Christ was born,Farewell, I come again to-morn;Dog, keep well my sheep fro the corn,And warn well Warroke when I blow my horn!Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

Now must I go there Christ was born,

Farewell, I come again to-morn;

Dog, keep well my sheep fro the corn,

And warn well Warroke when I blow my horn!

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

Can I not sing, &c.

When Wat to Bethlehem come was,He sweat, he had gone faster than a pace.He found Jesus in a simple place,Between an ox and an ass.Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

When Wat to Bethlehem come was,

He sweat, he had gone faster than a pace.

He found Jesus in a simple place,

Between an ox and an ass.

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

Can I not sing, &c.

The shepherd said anon right:‘I will go see yon ferly[23]sight,Where as the angel singeth on-height,And the star that shineth so bright!’Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

The shepherd said anon right:

‘I will go see yon ferly[23]sight,

Where as the angel singeth on-height,

And the star that shineth so bright!’

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

Can I not sing, &c.

‘Jesus, I offer to thee here my pipe,My skirt, my tar-box, and my scrip,Home to my fellows now will I skip,And also look unto my sheep!’Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

‘Jesus, I offer to thee here my pipe,

My skirt, my tar-box, and my scrip,

Home to my fellows now will I skip,

And also look unto my sheep!’

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

Can I not sing, &c.

‘Now farewell, mine own herds-man Wat!’‘Yea,’fore God, Lady, even so I hat![24]Lull well Jesus in thy lap.And farewell, Joseph, with thy round cap!’Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

‘Now farewell, mine own herds-man Wat!’

‘Yea,’fore God, Lady, even so I hat![24]

Lull well Jesus in thy lap.

And farewell, Joseph, with thy round cap!’

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

Can I not sing, &c.

‘Now may I well both hop and sing,For I have been at Christ’s bearing;Home to my fellows now will I fling;Christ of heaven to His bliss us bring!Ut hoy!For in his pipe he made so much joy!Can I not sing, &c.

‘Now may I well both hop and sing,

For I have been at Christ’s bearing;

Home to my fellows now will I fling;

Christ of heaven to His bliss us bring!

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

Can I not sing, &c.

[23]Wondrous.

[24]Am called.

WHEN Christ was born of Mary freeIn Bethlem, in that fair citee,Angels sang there with mirth and glee,In excelsis gloria.Herdmen beheld these angels bright,To them appearèd with great light,And said, ‘God’s son is born this night.’In excelsis gloria.The King is comen to save kind,As in scripturës we find,Therefore this song have we in mind,In excelsis gloria.Then, Lord, for thy great graceGrant us in bliss to see thy faceWhen we may sing to thee solace,In excelsis gloria.

WHEN Christ was born of Mary freeIn Bethlem, in that fair citee,Angels sang there with mirth and glee,In excelsis gloria.

WHEN Christ was born of Mary free

In Bethlem, in that fair citee,

Angels sang there with mirth and glee,

In excelsis gloria.

Herdmen beheld these angels bright,To them appearèd with great light,And said, ‘God’s son is born this night.’In excelsis gloria.

Herdmen beheld these angels bright,

To them appearèd with great light,

And said, ‘God’s son is born this night.’

In excelsis gloria.

The King is comen to save kind,As in scripturës we find,Therefore this song have we in mind,In excelsis gloria.

The King is comen to save kind,

As in scripturës we find,

Therefore this song have we in mind,

In excelsis gloria.

Then, Lord, for thy great graceGrant us in bliss to see thy faceWhen we may sing to thee solace,In excelsis gloria.

Then, Lord, for thy great grace

Grant us in bliss to see thy face

When we may sing to thee solace,

In excelsis gloria.

BE we merry in this feast,In quo Salvator natus est.In Bethlehem that noble place,As by prophecy said it was,Of the Virgin Mary full of grace,Salvator mundi natus est.Be we merry, &c.On Christmas night an angel it toldTo the shepherds, keeping their fold,That into Bethlehem with beastës wold,[25]Salvator mundi natus est.Be we merry, &c.The shepherds were compassèd right,About them was a full great light;‘Dread ye nought’, said the angel bright,‘Salvator mundi natus est.’Be we merry, &c.‘Behold to you we bring great joy;For why[26]Jesus is born this day,To us, of Mary, that mild may,[27]Salvator mundi natus est.’Be we merry &c.And thus in faith find it ye shall,Lying poorly in an oxes-stall.The shepherds then God lauded all,Quia Salvator mundi natus est.Be we merry &c.

BE we merry in this feast,In quo Salvator natus est.

BE we merry in this feast,

In quo Salvator natus est.

In Bethlehem that noble place,As by prophecy said it was,Of the Virgin Mary full of grace,Salvator mundi natus est.Be we merry, &c.

In Bethlehem that noble place,

As by prophecy said it was,

Of the Virgin Mary full of grace,

Salvator mundi natus est.

Be we merry, &c.

On Christmas night an angel it toldTo the shepherds, keeping their fold,That into Bethlehem with beastës wold,[25]Salvator mundi natus est.Be we merry, &c.

On Christmas night an angel it told

To the shepherds, keeping their fold,

That into Bethlehem with beastës wold,[25]

Salvator mundi natus est.

Be we merry, &c.

The shepherds were compassèd right,About them was a full great light;‘Dread ye nought’, said the angel bright,‘Salvator mundi natus est.’Be we merry, &c.

The shepherds were compassèd right,

About them was a full great light;

‘Dread ye nought’, said the angel bright,

‘Salvator mundi natus est.’

Be we merry, &c.

‘Behold to you we bring great joy;For why[26]Jesus is born this day,To us, of Mary, that mild may,[27]Salvator mundi natus est.’Be we merry &c.

‘Behold to you we bring great joy;

For why[26]Jesus is born this day,

To us, of Mary, that mild may,[27]

Salvator mundi natus est.’

Be we merry &c.

And thus in faith find it ye shall,Lying poorly in an oxes-stall.The shepherds then God lauded all,Quia Salvator mundi natus est.Be we merry &c.

And thus in faith find it ye shall,

Lying poorly in an oxes-stall.

The shepherds then God lauded all,

Quia Salvator mundi natus est.

Be we merry &c.

[25]Would go.

[26]Because.

[27]Maid.

MAN, be merry as bird on berryAnd all thy care let away.This time is born a child full good,He that us bought upon the rood;He bound the devil that is so wood,Till the dreadful doomës-day.When the child of mickle mightWould be born of Mary bright,A token he sent to king and knight,A star that shone both night and day.The star shone as bright as fire,Over all the world both far and near,In token He was without peer;And peerless he shall lasten ay.The xii day come kingës threeOut of the east, with heartë free;To worship Him they kneeled on kneeWith gold and myrrh and frankincense.

MAN, be merry as bird on berryAnd all thy care let away.

MAN, be merry as bird on berry

And all thy care let away.

This time is born a child full good,He that us bought upon the rood;He bound the devil that is so wood,Till the dreadful doomës-day.

This time is born a child full good,

He that us bought upon the rood;

He bound the devil that is so wood,

Till the dreadful doomës-day.

When the child of mickle mightWould be born of Mary bright,A token he sent to king and knight,A star that shone both night and day.

When the child of mickle might

Would be born of Mary bright,

A token he sent to king and knight,

A star that shone both night and day.

The star shone as bright as fire,Over all the world both far and near,In token He was without peer;And peerless he shall lasten ay.

The star shone as bright as fire,

Over all the world both far and near,

In token He was without peer;

And peerless he shall lasten ay.

The xii day come kingës threeOut of the east, with heartë free;To worship Him they kneeled on kneeWith gold and myrrh and frankincense.

The xii day come kingës three

Out of the east, with heartë free;

To worship Him they kneeled on knee

With gold and myrrh and frankincense.

ALL this time this song is best:Verbum caro factum est!This night there is a child bornThat sprang out of Jesse’s thorn;We must sing and say therefornVerbum caro factum est!Jesus is the childës nameAnd Mary mild is his dame;All our sorrow shall turn to game,Verbum caro factum est.It fell upon high midnight,The stars shone both fair and bright,The angels sang with all their mightVerbum caro factum est.Now kneel we down on our knee,And pray we to the Trinity,Our help, our succour for to be!Verbum caro factum est.

ALL this time this song is best:Verbum caro factum est!

ALL this time this song is best:

Verbum caro factum est!

This night there is a child bornThat sprang out of Jesse’s thorn;We must sing and say therefornVerbum caro factum est!

This night there is a child born

That sprang out of Jesse’s thorn;

We must sing and say thereforn

Verbum caro factum est!

Jesus is the childës nameAnd Mary mild is his dame;All our sorrow shall turn to game,Verbum caro factum est.

Jesus is the childës name

And Mary mild is his dame;

All our sorrow shall turn to game,

Verbum caro factum est.

It fell upon high midnight,The stars shone both fair and bright,The angels sang with all their mightVerbum caro factum est.

It fell upon high midnight,

The stars shone both fair and bright,

The angels sang with all their might

Verbum caro factum est.

Now kneel we down on our knee,And pray we to the Trinity,Our help, our succour for to be!Verbum caro factum est.

Now kneel we down on our knee,

And pray we to the Trinity,

Our help, our succour for to be!

Verbum caro factum est.

MATER, ora filiumut post hoc exiliumnobis donet gaudiumbeatorum omnium!Fair maiden, who is this bairnThat thou bearest in thine arm?Sir, it is a Kingës Son,That in heaven above doth wone.[28]Mater, ora, &c.Man to father he hath none,But Himself God alone!Of a maiden He would be born,To save mankind that was forlorn!Mater, ora, &c.Three Kingës brought him presents,Gold, myrrh, and frankincense,To my Son full of might,King of Kings and Lord of right!Mater, ora, &c.Fair maiden, pray for usUnto thy Son, sweet Jesus,That He will send us of His graceIn heaven on high to have a place.Mater, ora, &c.

MATER, ora filiumut post hoc exiliumnobis donet gaudiumbeatorum omnium!

MATER, ora filium

ut post hoc exilium

nobis donet gaudium

beatorum omnium!

Fair maiden, who is this bairnThat thou bearest in thine arm?Sir, it is a Kingës Son,That in heaven above doth wone.[28]Mater, ora, &c.

Fair maiden, who is this bairn

That thou bearest in thine arm?

Sir, it is a Kingës Son,

That in heaven above doth wone.[28]

Mater, ora, &c.

Man to father he hath none,But Himself God alone!Of a maiden He would be born,To save mankind that was forlorn!Mater, ora, &c.

Man to father he hath none,

But Himself God alone!

Of a maiden He would be born,

To save mankind that was forlorn!

Mater, ora, &c.

Three Kingës brought him presents,Gold, myrrh, and frankincense,To my Son full of might,King of Kings and Lord of right!Mater, ora, &c.

Three Kingës brought him presents,

Gold, myrrh, and frankincense,

To my Son full of might,

King of Kings and Lord of right!

Mater, ora, &c.

Fair maiden, pray for usUnto thy Son, sweet Jesus,That He will send us of His graceIn heaven on high to have a place.Mater, ora, &c.

Fair maiden, pray for us

Unto thy Son, sweet Jesus,

That He will send us of His grace

In heaven on high to have a place.

Mater, ora, &c.

[28]Dwell.

EYA, Jesus hodieNatus est de virgine.Blessed be that maid Mary!Born He was of her body;Goddes son that sit’th on high,Non ex virili semine.In a manger of an assJesu lay and lulled was,Hardë painës for to pass,Pro peccante homine.Kingës came from divers landWith great giftës in their hand,In Bethlem the child they fand,Stellae ducti lumine.Man and child both old and youngNow in his blissful comingTo that child may we singGloria tibi, Domine.Nowel, nowel in this hall,Make merry, I pray you all;Unto the child may we callUllo sine crimine.

EYA, Jesus hodieNatus est de virgine.

EYA, Jesus hodie

Natus est de virgine.

Blessed be that maid Mary!Born He was of her body;Goddes son that sit’th on high,Non ex virili semine.

Blessed be that maid Mary!

Born He was of her body;

Goddes son that sit’th on high,

Non ex virili semine.

In a manger of an assJesu lay and lulled was,Hardë painës for to pass,Pro peccante homine.

In a manger of an ass

Jesu lay and lulled was,

Hardë painës for to pass,

Pro peccante homine.

Kingës came from divers landWith great giftës in their hand,In Bethlem the child they fand,Stellae ducti lumine.

Kingës came from divers land

With great giftës in their hand,

In Bethlem the child they fand,

Stellae ducti lumine.

Man and child both old and youngNow in his blissful comingTo that child may we singGloria tibi, Domine.

Man and child both old and young

Now in his blissful coming

To that child may we sing

Gloria tibi, Domine.

Nowel, nowel in this hall,Make merry, I pray you all;Unto the child may we callUllo sine crimine.

Nowel, nowel in this hall,

Make merry, I pray you all;

Unto the child may we call

Ullo sine crimine.

Back to Index Next