TRADITIONAL CAROLS
GOD rest you merry, gentlemen,Let nothing you dismay;Remember Christ our SaviourWho was born on Christmas Day,To save our souls from Satan’s foldWhich long time had gone astray.And ’tis tidings of comfort and joy.From him that is our FatherThe Blessed Angel came,And to the watchful shepherds broughtThe tidings of the same;That there was born in BethlehemThe Son of God by name.And ’tis, &c.Fear not, then said God’s Angel,Let nothing you affright,This day is born a SaviourOf a Virgin pure and bright;He is able to advance youAnd throw down Satan quite.And ’tis, &c.The shepherds at these tidingsRejoiced much in mind,And left their flocks a-feedingIn tempest, storm, and wind.And straight they went to BethlehemThe Son of God to find.And ’tis, &c.But when they came to BethlehemWhere as our Saviour lay,They found him in a manger,Where oxen fed on hay,Our blessed Lady kneeling byUnto the Lord did pray.And ’tis, &c.At which with sudden gladnessThe shepherds then were filled,When as the Babe of IsraelThus when they had beheld.Before his mother thus to lieThe Scripture thus fulfilled.And ’tis, &c.Now let me all of you entreatThat are within this place,That each dear loving XianThe other would embrace.For the happy time of XmasIs drawing on apace.With its, &c.
GOD rest you merry, gentlemen,Let nothing you dismay;Remember Christ our SaviourWho was born on Christmas Day,To save our souls from Satan’s foldWhich long time had gone astray.And ’tis tidings of comfort and joy.From him that is our FatherThe Blessed Angel came,And to the watchful shepherds broughtThe tidings of the same;That there was born in BethlehemThe Son of God by name.And ’tis, &c.Fear not, then said God’s Angel,Let nothing you affright,This day is born a SaviourOf a Virgin pure and bright;He is able to advance youAnd throw down Satan quite.And ’tis, &c.The shepherds at these tidingsRejoiced much in mind,And left their flocks a-feedingIn tempest, storm, and wind.And straight they went to BethlehemThe Son of God to find.And ’tis, &c.But when they came to BethlehemWhere as our Saviour lay,They found him in a manger,Where oxen fed on hay,Our blessed Lady kneeling byUnto the Lord did pray.And ’tis, &c.At which with sudden gladnessThe shepherds then were filled,When as the Babe of IsraelThus when they had beheld.Before his mother thus to lieThe Scripture thus fulfilled.And ’tis, &c.Now let me all of you entreatThat are within this place,That each dear loving XianThe other would embrace.For the happy time of XmasIs drawing on apace.With its, &c.
GOD rest you merry, gentlemen,Let nothing you dismay;Remember Christ our SaviourWho was born on Christmas Day,To save our souls from Satan’s foldWhich long time had gone astray.And ’tis tidings of comfort and joy.
GOD rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ our Saviour
Who was born on Christmas Day,
To save our souls from Satan’s fold
Which long time had gone astray.
And ’tis tidings of comfort and joy.
From him that is our FatherThe Blessed Angel came,And to the watchful shepherds broughtThe tidings of the same;That there was born in BethlehemThe Son of God by name.And ’tis, &c.
From him that is our Father
The Blessed Angel came,
And to the watchful shepherds brought
The tidings of the same;
That there was born in Bethlehem
The Son of God by name.
And ’tis, &c.
Fear not, then said God’s Angel,Let nothing you affright,This day is born a SaviourOf a Virgin pure and bright;He is able to advance youAnd throw down Satan quite.And ’tis, &c.
Fear not, then said God’s Angel,
Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a Virgin pure and bright;
He is able to advance you
And throw down Satan quite.
And ’tis, &c.
The shepherds at these tidingsRejoiced much in mind,And left their flocks a-feedingIn tempest, storm, and wind.And straight they went to BethlehemThe Son of God to find.And ’tis, &c.
The shepherds at these tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm, and wind.
And straight they went to Bethlehem
The Son of God to find.
And ’tis, &c.
But when they came to BethlehemWhere as our Saviour lay,They found him in a manger,Where oxen fed on hay,Our blessed Lady kneeling byUnto the Lord did pray.And ’tis, &c.
But when they came to Bethlehem
Where as our Saviour lay,
They found him in a manger,
Where oxen fed on hay,
Our blessed Lady kneeling by
Unto the Lord did pray.
And ’tis, &c.
At which with sudden gladnessThe shepherds then were filled,When as the Babe of IsraelThus when they had beheld.Before his mother thus to lieThe Scripture thus fulfilled.And ’tis, &c.
At which with sudden gladness
The shepherds then were filled,
When as the Babe of Israel
Thus when they had beheld.
Before his mother thus to lie
The Scripture thus fulfilled.
And ’tis, &c.
Now let me all of you entreatThat are within this place,That each dear loving XianThe other would embrace.For the happy time of XmasIs drawing on apace.With its, &c.
Now let me all of you entreat
That are within this place,
That each dear loving Xian
The other would embrace.
For the happy time of Xmas
Is drawing on apace.
With its, &c.
This version is from a broadside in the British Museum; another version is given in Sandy’sChristmas Carols(1833), of which the last verse is:
Now to the Lord sing praisesAll you within this place;And with true love and brotherhoodEach other now embrace:This holy tide of XmasAll others doth deface.With its, &c.
Now to the Lord sing praisesAll you within this place;And with true love and brotherhoodEach other now embrace:This holy tide of XmasAll others doth deface.With its, &c.
Now to the Lord sing praisesAll you within this place;And with true love and brotherhoodEach other now embrace:This holy tide of XmasAll others doth deface.With its, &c.
Now to the Lord sing praises
All you within this place;
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace:
This holy tide of Xmas
All others doth deface.
With its, &c.
REMEMBER, O thou man,O thou man, O thou man,Remember, O thou man,Thy time is spent.Remember, O thou man,How thou earnest to me than,And I did what I can:Therefore repent.Remember Adam’s fall,O thou man, O thou man,Remember, O thou man,From Heaven to Hell.Remember Adam’s fall,How we were condemnèd allTo Hell perpetualThere for to dwell.Remember God’s goodness,O thou man, O thou man,Remember God’s goodnessAnd promise made.Remember God’s goodness,How his only Son He sentOur sins for to redress;Be not afraid!The Angels all did sing,O thou man, O thou man,The Angels all did singOn Sion Hill;The Angels all did singPraise to our heavenly kingAnd peace to man livingWith right good will.The shepherds amazèd was,O thou man, O thou man,The shepherds amazèd was,To hear the Angels sing.The shepherds amazèd was,How this should come to pass,That Christ our MessiasShould be our king.To Bethlehem did they go,O thou man, O thou man,To Bethlehem did they goThis thing to see;To Bethlehem did they goTo see whether it was so,Whether Christ was born or noTo set us free.As th’ Angels before did say,O thou man, O thou man,As th’ Angels before did say,So it came to pass.As th’ Angels before did sayThey found him wrapt in hayIn a manger where he lay,So poor he was.In Bethlehem was he born,O thou man, O thou man,In Bethlehem was he bornFor mankind dear.In Bethlehem was he bornFor us that were forlorn,And therefore took no scornOur sins to bear.In a manger laid he was,O thou man, O thou man,In a manger laid he wasAt this time present.In a manger laid he was,Between an ox and an assAnd all for our trespass;Therefore repent.Give thanks to God alwayO thou man, O thou man,Give thanks to God alwayWith hearts most jolly.Give thanks to God alwayUpon this blessed day,Let all men sing and sayHoly, holy.
REMEMBER, O thou man,O thou man, O thou man,Remember, O thou man,Thy time is spent.Remember, O thou man,How thou earnest to me than,And I did what I can:Therefore repent.Remember Adam’s fall,O thou man, O thou man,Remember, O thou man,From Heaven to Hell.Remember Adam’s fall,How we were condemnèd allTo Hell perpetualThere for to dwell.Remember God’s goodness,O thou man, O thou man,Remember God’s goodnessAnd promise made.Remember God’s goodness,How his only Son He sentOur sins for to redress;Be not afraid!The Angels all did sing,O thou man, O thou man,The Angels all did singOn Sion Hill;The Angels all did singPraise to our heavenly kingAnd peace to man livingWith right good will.The shepherds amazèd was,O thou man, O thou man,The shepherds amazèd was,To hear the Angels sing.The shepherds amazèd was,How this should come to pass,That Christ our MessiasShould be our king.To Bethlehem did they go,O thou man, O thou man,To Bethlehem did they goThis thing to see;To Bethlehem did they goTo see whether it was so,Whether Christ was born or noTo set us free.As th’ Angels before did say,O thou man, O thou man,As th’ Angels before did say,So it came to pass.As th’ Angels before did sayThey found him wrapt in hayIn a manger where he lay,So poor he was.In Bethlehem was he born,O thou man, O thou man,In Bethlehem was he bornFor mankind dear.In Bethlehem was he bornFor us that were forlorn,And therefore took no scornOur sins to bear.In a manger laid he was,O thou man, O thou man,In a manger laid he wasAt this time present.In a manger laid he was,Between an ox and an assAnd all for our trespass;Therefore repent.Give thanks to God alwayO thou man, O thou man,Give thanks to God alwayWith hearts most jolly.Give thanks to God alwayUpon this blessed day,Let all men sing and sayHoly, holy.
REMEMBER, O thou man,O thou man, O thou man,Remember, O thou man,Thy time is spent.Remember, O thou man,How thou earnest to me than,And I did what I can:Therefore repent.
REMEMBER, O thou man,
O thou man, O thou man,
Remember, O thou man,
Thy time is spent.
Remember, O thou man,
How thou earnest to me than,
And I did what I can:
Therefore repent.
Remember Adam’s fall,O thou man, O thou man,Remember, O thou man,From Heaven to Hell.Remember Adam’s fall,How we were condemnèd allTo Hell perpetualThere for to dwell.
Remember Adam’s fall,
O thou man, O thou man,
Remember, O thou man,
From Heaven to Hell.
Remember Adam’s fall,
How we were condemnèd all
To Hell perpetual
There for to dwell.
Remember God’s goodness,O thou man, O thou man,Remember God’s goodnessAnd promise made.Remember God’s goodness,How his only Son He sentOur sins for to redress;Be not afraid!
Remember God’s goodness,
O thou man, O thou man,
Remember God’s goodness
And promise made.
Remember God’s goodness,
How his only Son He sent
Our sins for to redress;
Be not afraid!
The Angels all did sing,O thou man, O thou man,The Angels all did singOn Sion Hill;
The Angels all did sing,
O thou man, O thou man,
The Angels all did sing
On Sion Hill;
The Angels all did singPraise to our heavenly kingAnd peace to man livingWith right good will.
The Angels all did sing
Praise to our heavenly king
And peace to man living
With right good will.
The shepherds amazèd was,O thou man, O thou man,The shepherds amazèd was,To hear the Angels sing.The shepherds amazèd was,How this should come to pass,That Christ our MessiasShould be our king.
The shepherds amazèd was,
O thou man, O thou man,
The shepherds amazèd was,
To hear the Angels sing.
The shepherds amazèd was,
How this should come to pass,
That Christ our Messias
Should be our king.
To Bethlehem did they go,O thou man, O thou man,To Bethlehem did they goThis thing to see;To Bethlehem did they goTo see whether it was so,Whether Christ was born or noTo set us free.
To Bethlehem did they go,
O thou man, O thou man,
To Bethlehem did they go
This thing to see;
To Bethlehem did they go
To see whether it was so,
Whether Christ was born or no
To set us free.
As th’ Angels before did say,O thou man, O thou man,As th’ Angels before did say,So it came to pass.As th’ Angels before did sayThey found him wrapt in hayIn a manger where he lay,So poor he was.
As th’ Angels before did say,
O thou man, O thou man,
As th’ Angels before did say,
So it came to pass.
As th’ Angels before did say
They found him wrapt in hay
In a manger where he lay,
So poor he was.
In Bethlehem was he born,O thou man, O thou man,In Bethlehem was he bornFor mankind dear.In Bethlehem was he bornFor us that were forlorn,And therefore took no scornOur sins to bear.
In Bethlehem was he born,
O thou man, O thou man,
In Bethlehem was he born
For mankind dear.
In Bethlehem was he born
For us that were forlorn,
And therefore took no scorn
Our sins to bear.
In a manger laid he was,O thou man, O thou man,In a manger laid he wasAt this time present.In a manger laid he was,Between an ox and an assAnd all for our trespass;Therefore repent.
In a manger laid he was,
O thou man, O thou man,
In a manger laid he was
At this time present.
In a manger laid he was,
Between an ox and an ass
And all for our trespass;
Therefore repent.
Give thanks to God alwayO thou man, O thou man,Give thanks to God alwayWith hearts most jolly.Give thanks to God alwayUpon this blessed day,Let all men sing and sayHoly, holy.
Give thanks to God alway
O thou man, O thou man,
Give thanks to God alway
With hearts most jolly.
Give thanks to God alway
Upon this blessed day,
Let all men sing and say
Holy, holy.
ISAW three ships come sailing inOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.I saw three ships come sailing inOn Christmas day in the morning.And what was in those ships all threeOn Christmas day, on Christmas day?And what was in those ships all threeOn Christmas day in the morning?Our Saviour Christ and His ladyOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.Our Saviour Christ and His ladyOn Christmas day in the morning.Pray, whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day, on Christmas day?Pray, whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day in the morning?O they sailed unto BethlehemOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.O they sailed unto BethlehemOn Christmas day in the morning.And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day in the morning.And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.And all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas dayAnd all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.Then let us all rejoice amainOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.Then let us all rejoice amainOn Christmas day in the morning!
ISAW three ships come sailing inOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.I saw three ships come sailing inOn Christmas day in the morning.And what was in those ships all threeOn Christmas day, on Christmas day?And what was in those ships all threeOn Christmas day in the morning?Our Saviour Christ and His ladyOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.Our Saviour Christ and His ladyOn Christmas day in the morning.Pray, whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day, on Christmas day?Pray, whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day in the morning?O they sailed unto BethlehemOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.O they sailed unto BethlehemOn Christmas day in the morning.And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day in the morning.And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.And all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas dayAnd all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.Then let us all rejoice amainOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.Then let us all rejoice amainOn Christmas day in the morning!
ISAW three ships come sailing inOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.I saw three ships come sailing inOn Christmas day in the morning.
ISAW three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day.
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all threeOn Christmas day, on Christmas day?And what was in those ships all threeOn Christmas day in the morning?
And what was in those ships all three
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
And what was in those ships all three
On Christmas day in the morning?
Our Saviour Christ and His ladyOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.Our Saviour Christ and His ladyOn Christmas day in the morning.
Our Saviour Christ and His lady
On Christmas day, on Christmas day.
Our Saviour Christ and His lady
On Christmas day in the morning.
Pray, whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day, on Christmas day?Pray, whither sailed those ships all threeOn Christmas day in the morning?
Pray, whither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
Pray, whither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas day in the morning?
O they sailed unto BethlehemOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.O they sailed unto BethlehemOn Christmas day in the morning.
O they sailed unto Bethlehem
On Christmas day, on Christmas day.
O they sailed unto Bethlehem
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.And all the bells on earth shall ringOn Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day, on Christmas day.
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.And all the angels in heaven shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.
And all the angels in heaven shall sing
On Christmas day, on Christmas day.
And all the angels in heaven shall sing
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day, on Christmas dayAnd all the souls on earth shall singOn Christmas day in the morning.
And all the souls on earth shall sing
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And all the souls on earth shall sing
On Christmas day in the morning.
Then let us all rejoice amainOn Christmas day, on Christmas day.Then let us all rejoice amainOn Christmas day in the morning!
Then let us all rejoice amain
On Christmas day, on Christmas day.
Then let us all rejoice amain
On Christmas day in the morning!