XX.

JJOSEPH was an old man, and an old man was he,When he wedded Mary, in the land of Galilee;When Joseph and Mary walked in the garden good,There was cherries and berries as red as the blood.O then bespoke Mary, so meek and so mild,Pluck me some cherries, Joseph, for I am with child;O then bespoke Joseph, with words so unkind,Let him pluck the cherries that brought thee with child.O then bespoke Jesus in his mother’s womb,Bow down then the tallest tree, that my mother may have some;Then bowed down the tallest tree, it bent to Mary’s hand,Then she cried, See, Joseph, I have cherries at command.O then bespoke Joseph, I have done Mary wrong,But cheer up, my dearest, and be not cast down;Then Joseph and Mary did to Bethlehem go,And with travels were weary walking to and fro.They sought for a lodging, but the inns were fill’d all,They, alas! could not have it, but in an ox’s stall;But before the next morning our Saviour was born,In the month of December, Christmas Day in the morn.XX.AA CHILD this day is born,A child of high renown,Most worthy of a sceptre,A sceptre and a crown.Novels, novels, novels,Novels, sing all we may,Because the King of all kingsWas born this blessed day.The which the holy prophetsSpake of long time before,That from the fall of AdamHe should us all restore.Novels, &c.This child, both God and man,From Heaven down to us came,He is the King of all kings,And Jesus is his nameNovels, &c.These tidings shepherds heard,In field watching their fold,Were by an angel unto them,That night reveal’d and told.Novels, &c.Who standing near by them,To them shined so bright,That they amazed wereAt that most glorious sight.Novels, &c.To whom the angel spoke,Saying, Be not afraid,Be glad, poor silly shepherds,Why are you so dismayed?Novels, &c.For lo! I bring you tidingsOf gladness and of mirth,Which cometh to all people byThis holy infant’s birth.Novels, &c.Him hath God lifted up,As light and shepherd’s horn,Which in the city of David,This present time was born.Novels, &c.The only Son of God was he,The Lord and God most highest;And He is the true shepherd,The young child Jesus Christ.Novels, &c.Then was there with the angel,An host incontinentOf heavenly bright soldiers,Which from the highest was sent.Novels, &c.Lauding the Lord our God,And his celestial king;All glory be in Paradise,This heavenly host did sing.Novels, &c.Glory be unto our God,That sitteth still on high,With praises and with triumph great,And joyful melody.Novels, &c.But when this holy armyOf heavenly soldiers bright,Was unto God returned,And vanish’d out of sight.Novels, &c.The shepherds’ hearts joyful,At this great glorious news,That the King of all kingsWas risen amongst the Jews.Novels, &c.Without the least of hinderance,Anon they went in then,And found the young child, Jesus Christ,Thus born in Bethlehem.Novels, &c.And as the angel told them,So to them did appear;They found the young child, Jesus Christ,With Mary, his mother dear.Novels, &c.Now such a place it was,Where this was come to pass,For want of room this child was laidBetwixt an ox and ass.Novels, &c.Not sumptuously, but simply,Was this young King array’d;A manger was the cradle,Where this young child was laid.Novels, &c.No pride at all was foundIn this most holy child,But he being void of all sin,The lamb of God most mild.Novels, &c.His body unto bitter painsHe gave to set us free;He is our Saviour, Jesus Christ,And none but only he.Novels, &c.To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,All glory be therefore,To whom be all dominionBoth now and evermore.Novels, &c.XXI.AAS I passed by a river side,And there as I did reign,In argument I chanced to hearA carnal and a crane.The carnal said unto the crane,If all the world should turn,Before we had the Father,But now we have the Son.From whence does the Son come?From where and from what place?He said, In a manger,Between an ox and ass!I pray thee, said the carnal,Tell me before thou go,Was not the mother of JesusConceived by the Holy Ghost?She was the purest virgin.And the cleanest from sin;She was the handmaid of our Lord,And mother of our King.Where is the golden cradleThat Christ was rocked in?Where are the silken sheetsThat Jesus was wrapt in?A manger was the cradleThat Christ was rocked in;The provender the asses left,So sweetly he slept on.There was a star in the West land,So bright it did appear,Into king Herod’s chamber,And where king Herod were.The wise men soon espied it,And told the king on high,A princely Babe was born that night,No king could e’er destroy.If this be true, king Herod said,As thou tellest unto me,This roasted cock that lies in the dishShall crow full fences three.The cock soon freshly feather’d was,By the work of God’s own hand,And then three fences crowed he,In the dish where he did stand.Rise up, rise up, you merry men all,See that you ready be,All children under two years oldNow slain they all shall be.Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,And Mary, that was so pure,They travell’d into Egypt,As you shall find it sure.And when they came to Egypt’s land,Amongst those fierce wild beasts,Mary, she being weary.Must needs sit down to rest.Come sit thee down, says Jesus,Come sit thee down by me,And thou shalt see how these wild beastsDo come and worship me.First, came the lovely lion,Which Jesus’s grace did spring,And of the wild beasts in the field,The lion shall be king.We’ll choose our virtuous princes.Of birth and high degree,In every sundry nation,Where’er we come and see.Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,And Mary, that was unknown,They travelled by a husbandman,Just while his seed was sown.God speed thee, man! said Jesus,Go fetch thy ox and wain,And carry home thy corn again,Which thou this day hast sown.The husbandman fell on his knees,Even before his face;Long time hast Thou been looked for.But now Thou art come at last.And I myself do now believeThy name is Jesus called;Redeemer of mankind thou art,Though undeserving all.The truth, man, thou hast spoken,Of it thou mayest be sure,For I must lose my precious bloodFor thee and thousands more.If any one should come this way,And enquire for me alone,Tell him that Jesus passed byAs thou thy seed did sow.After that there came king Herod,With his train so furiously,Enquiring of the husbandmanWhether Jesus passed by.Why the truth it must be spoke,And the truth it must be known,For Jesus passed by this way,When my seed was sown.But now I have it reapen,And some laid on my wain,Ready to fetch and carryInto my barn again.Turn back, says the captain,Your labour and mine’s in vain,It’s full three quarters of a yearSince he his seed has sown.So Herod was deceived,By the work of God’s own hand,And further he proceededInto the Holy Land.There’s thousands of children young,Which for his sake did die;Do not forbid those little ones,And do not them deny.The truth now I have spoken,And the truth now I have shown;Even the blessed virgin,She’s now brought forth a Son.XXII.AAS it fell out one May morning,And upon one bright holiday,Sweet Jesus asked of his dear mother,If He might go to play.To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go,And to play pray get you gone,And let me hear of no complaint,At night when you come home.Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town,As far as the Holy Well,And there did see as fine childrenAs any tongue can tell.He said, God bless you every one,And your bodies Christ save and see;Little children, shall I play with you,And you shall play with me?But they made answer to him, No!They were lords’ and ladies’ sons;And He, the meanest of them all,A maiden’s child, born in an oxen’s stall.Sweet Jesus turned him around,And he neither laugh’d nor smil’d,But the tears came trickling from his eyes,Like water from the skies.Sweet Jesus turned him about,To his mother’s dear home went he,And said, I have been in yonder town,As after you may see.I have been down in yonder town,As far as the Holy Well,And there did I meet as fine childrenAs any tongue can tell.I bid God bless them every one,And their bodies Christ save and see;Little children, shall I play with you,And you shall play with me?But they made answer to me, No!They were lords’ and ladies’ sons,And I, the meanest of them all,A maiden’s child, born in an ox’s stall.Though you are but a maiden’s child,Born in an ox’s stall,Thou art the Christ, the King of Heaven,And the Saviour of them all.Sweet Jesus go down to yonder town,As far as the Holy Well,And take away those sinful soulsAnd dip them deep in hell.Nay, nay, sweet Jesus said,Nay, nay, that may not be,For there are too many sinful soulsCrying out for the help of me.O then spoke the angel Gabriel,Upon one good Saint Stephen,Altho’ you’re but a maiden’s child,You are the King of Heaven.XXIII.AA VIRGIN most pure as the prophets do tell,Hath brought forth a babe, as it hath befell,To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin,Which Adam’s transgression had wrapt us all in.Rejoice and be you merry, set sorrow aside,Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.In Bethlehem city, in Jury it was,Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,And there to be taxed with many one more,For Cæsar commanded the same should be so.Rejoice, &c.But when they had entered the city so far,The number of people so mighty was there,That Joseph and Mary whose substance was small,Could get in the city no lodging at all.Rejoice, &c.Then they were constrained in a stable to lie,Where oxen and asses they used to tie;Their lodging so simple, they held it no scorn,But against the next morning our Saviour was born.Rejoice, &c.The King of all Glory to the world being brought,Small store of fine linen to wrap him was bought;When Mary had swaddled her young son so sweet,Within an ox manger, she laid him to sleep.Rejoice, &c.Then God sent an angel from heaven so high,To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay,Because that our Saviour was born on this day.Rejoice, &c.Then presently after the shepherds did spyA number of angels appear in the sky,Who joyfully talked and sweetly did sing,To God be all glory, our Heavenly King.Rejoice, &c.Three certain wise princes, they thought it most meet,To lay their rich offerings at our Saviour’s feet;Then the shepherds consented and to Bethlehem did go,And when they came thither, they found it was so.Rejoice, &c.XXIV.GGOD rest you, merry gentlemen,Let nothing you dismay,For Jesus Christ our SaviourWas born upon this day,To save us all from Satan’s powerWhen we were gone astray.O tidings of comfort and joy,For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day.In Bethlehem, in Jury,This blessed babe was born,And laid within a mangerUpon this blessed morn;The which his mother MaryDid nothing take in scorn.O tidings, &c.From God, our Heavenly Father,A blessed angel came,And unto certain shepherdsBrought tidings of the same,That there was born in BethlehemThe Son of God by name.O tidings, &c.Fear not then, said the Angel,Let nothing you affright,This day is born a SaviourOf a pure Virgin bright;So frequently to vanquish allThe friends of Satan quite.O tidings, &c.The shepherds at these tidingsRejoiced much in mind,And left their flocks a feedingIn tempest, storm, and wind,And went to Bethlehem straightway,This blessed Babe to find.O tidings, &c.But when they came to Bethlehem,Where our dear Saviour lay,They found Him in a manger,Where oxen fed on hay;His mother, Mary, kneeling,Unto the Lord did pray.O tidings, &c.Now to the Lord sing praisesAll you within this place,And with true love and brotherhoodEach other now embrace;This holy tide of ChristmasAll others doth deface.O tidings, &c.XXV.GGOD’S dear Son without beginning,Whom the wicked Jews did scorn;The only wise without all sinningOn this blessed day was born.To save us all from sin and thrall,When we in Satan’s chains were bound,And shed his blood to do us good,With many a purple bleeding wound.At Bethlehem, king David’s city,Mary’s Babe had sweet creation,God and Man endu’d with pity,And a Saviour of each nation.Yet Jewry land with cruel hand,Both first and last his power envy’d;Where He was born, they did Him scorn,And shew’d Him malice when He died.No princely palace for our Saviour,In Judea could be found.But blessed Mary’s meek behaviour,Patiently upon the ground,Her babe did place in vile disgrace,Where oxen in their stalls did feed;No midwife mild had this sweet Child,Nor woman’s help at mother’s need.No kingly robes nor golden treasureDeck’d the birth-day of God’s Son;No pompal train at all took pleasureTo this King of kings to run.No mantle brave could Jesus have,Upon His cradle for to lye;No musick’s charms in nurse’s arms,To sing the Babe a lullaby.Yet as Mary sat in solace,By our Saviour’s first beginning,Hosts of angels from God’s palaceSounded sweet from Heaven singing;Yea, heaven and earth, for Jesus’ birth,With sweet melodious tunes abound,And every thing for Jewry’s King,Upon the earth gave chearful sound.Then with angel’s love inspired,The wise princes from the East,To Bethlehem as they desired,Came whereas the Lord did rest:And there they laid before the maid,Before her Son, our God and King,Their offerings sweet, as was most meet,Unto so great a power to bring.Now to Him that us redeemed,By His precious death and passion;And us sinners so esteemedTo buy us dearly thus salvation;Yield lasting fame that still the nameOf Jesus may be honored here;And let us say that Christmas DayIs still the best day in the year.XXVI.II SAW 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 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 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 three,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;Pray whither sailed those ships all three,On Christmas Day in the morning.O, they sailed into Bethlehem,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;O, they sailed into Bethlehem,On 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 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 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 amain,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;Then let us all rejoice amain,On Christmas Day in the morning.XXVII.TTHE first nowell the angel did sayWas to three poor shepherds in the fields as they lay;In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,In a cold winter’s night that was so deep.Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,Born is the King of Israel.They looked up and saw a starShining in the east, beyond them far,And to the earth it gave great light,And so it continued both day and night.Nowell, &c.And by the light of that same star,Three wise men came from country far;To seek for a King was their intent,And to follow the star wherever it went.Nowell, &c.This star drew nigh to the north-west,O’er Bethlehem it took its rest,And there it did both stop and stayRight over the place where Jesus lay.Nowell, &c.Then did they know assuredlyWithin that house the King did lie;One entered in then for to see,And found the Babe in poverty.Nowell, &c.Then enter’d in those wise men three,Most reverently upon their knee,And offer’d there, in His presence,Both gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.Nowell, &c.Between an ox-stall and an ass,This child truly there born He was;For want of clothing they did Him layAll in the manger, among the hay.Nowell, &c.Then let us all, with one accord,Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord,That hath made Heaven and earth of nought,And with His blood mankind hath bought.Nowell, &c.If we in our time shall do well,We shall be free from death and hell;For God hath prepared for us allA resting-place in general.Nowell, &c.XXVIII.TTHE Lord at first had Adam madeOut of the dust and clay,And in his nostrils breathed life,E’en as the Scriptures say;And then in Eden’s ParadiseHe placed him to dwell,That he within it should remain,To dress and keep it well.Now let good Christians all beginAn holy life to live,And to rejoice and merry be,For this is Christmas Eve.And thus within the garden heCommanded was to stay;And unto him in commandmentThese words the Lord did say:“The fruit that in the garden growsTo thee shall be for meat,Except the tree in the midst thereof,Of which thou shalt not eat.Now let good, &c.“For in that day thou dost it touch,Or dost it then come nigh,And if that thou dost eat thereof,Then thou shalt surely die.”But Adam he did take no heedTo that same only thing,But did transgress God’s holy laws,And sore was wrapp’d in sin.Now let good, &c.Now mark the goodness of the Lord,Which He to mankind bore;His mercy soon he did extendLost man for to restore;And then, for to redeem our soulsFrom death, and hell, and thrall,He said his own dear Son should comeThe Saviour of us all.Now let good, &c.Which promise now is brought to pass,Christians believe it well,And by the coming of God’s Son,We are redeem’d from hell.And if we truly do believe,And do the thing that’s right,Then by His merits we at lastShall live in Heaven bright.Now let good, &c.Now, for the benefits that weEnjoy from Heaven above,Let us renounce all wickedness,And live in perfect love.Then shall we do Christ’s own command,Even his written word;And when we die, in Heaven we shallEnjoy our living Lord.Now let good, &c.And now the tide is nigh at hand,In which our Saviour came;Let us rejoice and merry be,In keeping of the same.Let’s feed the poor and hungry sort,And such as do it crave;And when we die, in Heaven be sureOur reward we shall have.Now let good, &c.XXIX.

JOSEPH was an old man, and an old man was he,When he wedded Mary, in the land of Galilee;When Joseph and Mary walked in the garden good,There was cherries and berries as red as the blood.

JOSEPH was an old man, and an old man was he,

When he wedded Mary, in the land of Galilee;

When Joseph and Mary walked in the garden good,

There was cherries and berries as red as the blood.

O then bespoke Mary, so meek and so mild,Pluck me some cherries, Joseph, for I am with child;O then bespoke Joseph, with words so unkind,Let him pluck the cherries that brought thee with child.

O then bespoke Mary, so meek and so mild,

Pluck me some cherries, Joseph, for I am with child;

O then bespoke Joseph, with words so unkind,

Let him pluck the cherries that brought thee with child.

O then bespoke Jesus in his mother’s womb,Bow down then the tallest tree, that my mother may have some;Then bowed down the tallest tree, it bent to Mary’s hand,Then she cried, See, Joseph, I have cherries at command.

O then bespoke Jesus in his mother’s womb,

Bow down then the tallest tree, that my mother may have some;

Then bowed down the tallest tree, it bent to Mary’s hand,

Then she cried, See, Joseph, I have cherries at command.

O then bespoke Joseph, I have done Mary wrong,But cheer up, my dearest, and be not cast down;Then Joseph and Mary did to Bethlehem go,And with travels were weary walking to and fro.

O then bespoke Joseph, I have done Mary wrong,

But cheer up, my dearest, and be not cast down;

Then Joseph and Mary did to Bethlehem go,

And with travels were weary walking to and fro.

They sought for a lodging, but the inns were fill’d all,They, alas! could not have it, but in an ox’s stall;But before the next morning our Saviour was born,In the month of December, Christmas Day in the morn.

They sought for a lodging, but the inns were fill’d all,

They, alas! could not have it, but in an ox’s stall;

But before the next morning our Saviour was born,

In the month of December, Christmas Day in the morn.

AA CHILD this day is born,A child of high renown,Most worthy of a sceptre,A sceptre and a crown.Novels, novels, novels,Novels, sing all we may,Because the King of all kingsWas born this blessed day.The which the holy prophetsSpake of long time before,That from the fall of AdamHe should us all restore.Novels, &c.This child, both God and man,From Heaven down to us came,He is the King of all kings,And Jesus is his nameNovels, &c.These tidings shepherds heard,In field watching their fold,Were by an angel unto them,That night reveal’d and told.Novels, &c.Who standing near by them,To them shined so bright,That they amazed wereAt that most glorious sight.Novels, &c.To whom the angel spoke,Saying, Be not afraid,Be glad, poor silly shepherds,Why are you so dismayed?Novels, &c.For lo! I bring you tidingsOf gladness and of mirth,Which cometh to all people byThis holy infant’s birth.Novels, &c.Him hath God lifted up,As light and shepherd’s horn,Which in the city of David,This present time was born.Novels, &c.The only Son of God was he,The Lord and God most highest;And He is the true shepherd,The young child Jesus Christ.Novels, &c.Then was there with the angel,An host incontinentOf heavenly bright soldiers,Which from the highest was sent.Novels, &c.Lauding the Lord our God,And his celestial king;All glory be in Paradise,This heavenly host did sing.Novels, &c.Glory be unto our God,That sitteth still on high,With praises and with triumph great,And joyful melody.Novels, &c.But when this holy armyOf heavenly soldiers bright,Was unto God returned,And vanish’d out of sight.Novels, &c.The shepherds’ hearts joyful,At this great glorious news,That the King of all kingsWas risen amongst the Jews.Novels, &c.Without the least of hinderance,Anon they went in then,And found the young child, Jesus Christ,Thus born in Bethlehem.Novels, &c.And as the angel told them,So to them did appear;They found the young child, Jesus Christ,With Mary, his mother dear.Novels, &c.Now such a place it was,Where this was come to pass,For want of room this child was laidBetwixt an ox and ass.Novels, &c.Not sumptuously, but simply,Was this young King array’d;A manger was the cradle,Where this young child was laid.Novels, &c.No pride at all was foundIn this most holy child,But he being void of all sin,The lamb of God most mild.Novels, &c.His body unto bitter painsHe gave to set us free;He is our Saviour, Jesus Christ,And none but only he.Novels, &c.To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,All glory be therefore,To whom be all dominionBoth now and evermore.Novels, &c.

AA CHILD this day is born,A child of high renown,Most worthy of a sceptre,A sceptre and a crown.Novels, novels, novels,Novels, sing all we may,Because the King of all kingsWas born this blessed day.

A CHILD this day is born,

A child of high renown,

Most worthy of a sceptre,

A sceptre and a crown.

Novels, novels, novels,

Novels, sing all we may,

Because the King of all kings

Was born this blessed day.

The which the holy prophetsSpake of long time before,That from the fall of AdamHe should us all restore.Novels, &c.

The which the holy prophets

Spake of long time before,

That from the fall of Adam

He should us all restore.

Novels, &c.

This child, both God and man,From Heaven down to us came,He is the King of all kings,And Jesus is his nameNovels, &c.

This child, both God and man,

From Heaven down to us came,

He is the King of all kings,

And Jesus is his name

Novels, &c.

These tidings shepherds heard,In field watching their fold,Were by an angel unto them,That night reveal’d and told.Novels, &c.

These tidings shepherds heard,

In field watching their fold,

Were by an angel unto them,

That night reveal’d and told.

Novels, &c.

Who standing near by them,To them shined so bright,That they amazed wereAt that most glorious sight.Novels, &c.

Who standing near by them,

To them shined so bright,

That they amazed were

At that most glorious sight.

Novels, &c.

To whom the angel spoke,Saying, Be not afraid,Be glad, poor silly shepherds,Why are you so dismayed?Novels, &c.

To whom the angel spoke,

Saying, Be not afraid,

Be glad, poor silly shepherds,

Why are you so dismayed?

Novels, &c.

For lo! I bring you tidingsOf gladness and of mirth,Which cometh to all people byThis holy infant’s birth.Novels, &c.

For lo! I bring you tidings

Of gladness and of mirth,

Which cometh to all people by

This holy infant’s birth.

Novels, &c.

Him hath God lifted up,As light and shepherd’s horn,Which in the city of David,This present time was born.Novels, &c.

Him hath God lifted up,

As light and shepherd’s horn,

Which in the city of David,

This present time was born.

Novels, &c.

The only Son of God was he,The Lord and God most highest;And He is the true shepherd,The young child Jesus Christ.Novels, &c.

The only Son of God was he,

The Lord and God most highest;

And He is the true shepherd,

The young child Jesus Christ.

Novels, &c.

Then was there with the angel,An host incontinentOf heavenly bright soldiers,Which from the highest was sent.Novels, &c.

Then was there with the angel,

An host incontinent

Of heavenly bright soldiers,

Which from the highest was sent.

Novels, &c.

Lauding the Lord our God,And his celestial king;All glory be in Paradise,This heavenly host did sing.Novels, &c.

Lauding the Lord our God,

And his celestial king;

All glory be in Paradise,

This heavenly host did sing.

Novels, &c.

Glory be unto our God,That sitteth still on high,With praises and with triumph great,And joyful melody.Novels, &c.

Glory be unto our God,

That sitteth still on high,

With praises and with triumph great,

And joyful melody.

Novels, &c.

But when this holy armyOf heavenly soldiers bright,Was unto God returned,And vanish’d out of sight.Novels, &c.

But when this holy army

Of heavenly soldiers bright,

Was unto God returned,

And vanish’d out of sight.

Novels, &c.

The shepherds’ hearts joyful,At this great glorious news,That the King of all kingsWas risen amongst the Jews.Novels, &c.

The shepherds’ hearts joyful,

At this great glorious news,

That the King of all kings

Was risen amongst the Jews.

Novels, &c.

Without the least of hinderance,Anon they went in then,And found the young child, Jesus Christ,Thus born in Bethlehem.Novels, &c.

Without the least of hinderance,

Anon they went in then,

And found the young child, Jesus Christ,

Thus born in Bethlehem.

Novels, &c.

And as the angel told them,So to them did appear;They found the young child, Jesus Christ,With Mary, his mother dear.Novels, &c.

And as the angel told them,

So to them did appear;

They found the young child, Jesus Christ,

With Mary, his mother dear.

Novels, &c.

Now such a place it was,Where this was come to pass,For want of room this child was laidBetwixt an ox and ass.Novels, &c.

Now such a place it was,

Where this was come to pass,

For want of room this child was laid

Betwixt an ox and ass.

Novels, &c.

Not sumptuously, but simply,Was this young King array’d;A manger was the cradle,Where this young child was laid.Novels, &c.

Not sumptuously, but simply,

Was this young King array’d;

A manger was the cradle,

Where this young child was laid.

Novels, &c.

No pride at all was foundIn this most holy child,But he being void of all sin,The lamb of God most mild.Novels, &c.

No pride at all was found

In this most holy child,

But he being void of all sin,

The lamb of God most mild.

Novels, &c.

His body unto bitter painsHe gave to set us free;He is our Saviour, Jesus Christ,And none but only he.Novels, &c.

His body unto bitter pains

He gave to set us free;

He is our Saviour, Jesus Christ,

And none but only he.

Novels, &c.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,All glory be therefore,To whom be all dominionBoth now and evermore.Novels, &c.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

All glory be therefore,

To whom be all dominion

Both now and evermore.

Novels, &c.

AAS I passed by a river side,And there as I did reign,In argument I chanced to hearA carnal and a crane.The carnal said unto the crane,If all the world should turn,Before we had the Father,But now we have the Son.From whence does the Son come?From where and from what place?He said, In a manger,Between an ox and ass!I pray thee, said the carnal,Tell me before thou go,Was not the mother of JesusConceived by the Holy Ghost?She was the purest virgin.And the cleanest from sin;She was the handmaid of our Lord,And mother of our King.Where is the golden cradleThat Christ was rocked in?Where are the silken sheetsThat Jesus was wrapt in?A manger was the cradleThat Christ was rocked in;The provender the asses left,So sweetly he slept on.There was a star in the West land,So bright it did appear,Into king Herod’s chamber,And where king Herod were.The wise men soon espied it,And told the king on high,A princely Babe was born that night,No king could e’er destroy.If this be true, king Herod said,As thou tellest unto me,This roasted cock that lies in the dishShall crow full fences three.The cock soon freshly feather’d was,By the work of God’s own hand,And then three fences crowed he,In the dish where he did stand.Rise up, rise up, you merry men all,See that you ready be,All children under two years oldNow slain they all shall be.Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,And Mary, that was so pure,They travell’d into Egypt,As you shall find it sure.And when they came to Egypt’s land,Amongst those fierce wild beasts,Mary, she being weary.Must needs sit down to rest.Come sit thee down, says Jesus,Come sit thee down by me,And thou shalt see how these wild beastsDo come and worship me.First, came the lovely lion,Which Jesus’s grace did spring,And of the wild beasts in the field,The lion shall be king.We’ll choose our virtuous princes.Of birth and high degree,In every sundry nation,Where’er we come and see.Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,And Mary, that was unknown,They travelled by a husbandman,Just while his seed was sown.God speed thee, man! said Jesus,Go fetch thy ox and wain,And carry home thy corn again,Which thou this day hast sown.The husbandman fell on his knees,Even before his face;Long time hast Thou been looked for.But now Thou art come at last.And I myself do now believeThy name is Jesus called;Redeemer of mankind thou art,Though undeserving all.The truth, man, thou hast spoken,Of it thou mayest be sure,For I must lose my precious bloodFor thee and thousands more.If any one should come this way,And enquire for me alone,Tell him that Jesus passed byAs thou thy seed did sow.After that there came king Herod,With his train so furiously,Enquiring of the husbandmanWhether Jesus passed by.Why the truth it must be spoke,And the truth it must be known,For Jesus passed by this way,When my seed was sown.But now I have it reapen,And some laid on my wain,Ready to fetch and carryInto my barn again.Turn back, says the captain,Your labour and mine’s in vain,It’s full three quarters of a yearSince he his seed has sown.So Herod was deceived,By the work of God’s own hand,And further he proceededInto the Holy Land.There’s thousands of children young,Which for his sake did die;Do not forbid those little ones,And do not them deny.The truth now I have spoken,And the truth now I have shown;Even the blessed virgin,She’s now brought forth a Son.

AAS I passed by a river side,And there as I did reign,In argument I chanced to hearA carnal and a crane.

AS I passed by a river side,

And there as I did reign,

In argument I chanced to hear

A carnal and a crane.

The carnal said unto the crane,If all the world should turn,Before we had the Father,But now we have the Son.

The carnal said unto the crane,

If all the world should turn,

Before we had the Father,

But now we have the Son.

From whence does the Son come?From where and from what place?He said, In a manger,Between an ox and ass!

From whence does the Son come?

From where and from what place?

He said, In a manger,

Between an ox and ass!

I pray thee, said the carnal,Tell me before thou go,Was not the mother of JesusConceived by the Holy Ghost?

I pray thee, said the carnal,

Tell me before thou go,

Was not the mother of Jesus

Conceived by the Holy Ghost?

She was the purest virgin.And the cleanest from sin;She was the handmaid of our Lord,And mother of our King.

She was the purest virgin.

And the cleanest from sin;

She was the handmaid of our Lord,

And mother of our King.

Where is the golden cradleThat Christ was rocked in?Where are the silken sheetsThat Jesus was wrapt in?

Where is the golden cradle

That Christ was rocked in?

Where are the silken sheets

That Jesus was wrapt in?

A manger was the cradleThat Christ was rocked in;The provender the asses left,So sweetly he slept on.

A manger was the cradle

That Christ was rocked in;

The provender the asses left,

So sweetly he slept on.

There was a star in the West land,So bright it did appear,Into king Herod’s chamber,And where king Herod were.

There was a star in the West land,

So bright it did appear,

Into king Herod’s chamber,

And where king Herod were.

The wise men soon espied it,And told the king on high,A princely Babe was born that night,No king could e’er destroy.

The wise men soon espied it,

And told the king on high,

A princely Babe was born that night,

No king could e’er destroy.

If this be true, king Herod said,As thou tellest unto me,This roasted cock that lies in the dishShall crow full fences three.

If this be true, king Herod said,

As thou tellest unto me,

This roasted cock that lies in the dish

Shall crow full fences three.

The cock soon freshly feather’d was,By the work of God’s own hand,And then three fences crowed he,In the dish where he did stand.

The cock soon freshly feather’d was,

By the work of God’s own hand,

And then three fences crowed he,

In the dish where he did stand.

Rise up, rise up, you merry men all,See that you ready be,All children under two years oldNow slain they all shall be.

Rise up, rise up, you merry men all,

See that you ready be,

All children under two years old

Now slain they all shall be.

Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,And Mary, that was so pure,They travell’d into Egypt,As you shall find it sure.

Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,

And Mary, that was so pure,

They travell’d into Egypt,

As you shall find it sure.

And when they came to Egypt’s land,Amongst those fierce wild beasts,Mary, she being weary.Must needs sit down to rest.

And when they came to Egypt’s land,

Amongst those fierce wild beasts,

Mary, she being weary.

Must needs sit down to rest.

Come sit thee down, says Jesus,Come sit thee down by me,And thou shalt see how these wild beastsDo come and worship me.

Come sit thee down, says Jesus,

Come sit thee down by me,

And thou shalt see how these wild beasts

Do come and worship me.

First, came the lovely lion,Which Jesus’s grace did spring,And of the wild beasts in the field,The lion shall be king.

First, came the lovely lion,

Which Jesus’s grace did spring,

And of the wild beasts in the field,

The lion shall be king.

We’ll choose our virtuous princes.Of birth and high degree,In every sundry nation,Where’er we come and see.

We’ll choose our virtuous princes.

Of birth and high degree,

In every sundry nation,

Where’er we come and see.

Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,And Mary, that was unknown,They travelled by a husbandman,Just while his seed was sown.

Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph,

And Mary, that was unknown,

They travelled by a husbandman,

Just while his seed was sown.

God speed thee, man! said Jesus,Go fetch thy ox and wain,And carry home thy corn again,Which thou this day hast sown.

God speed thee, man! said Jesus,

Go fetch thy ox and wain,

And carry home thy corn again,

Which thou this day hast sown.

The husbandman fell on his knees,Even before his face;Long time hast Thou been looked for.But now Thou art come at last.

The husbandman fell on his knees,

Even before his face;

Long time hast Thou been looked for.

But now Thou art come at last.

And I myself do now believeThy name is Jesus called;Redeemer of mankind thou art,Though undeserving all.

And I myself do now believe

Thy name is Jesus called;

Redeemer of mankind thou art,

Though undeserving all.

The truth, man, thou hast spoken,Of it thou mayest be sure,For I must lose my precious bloodFor thee and thousands more.

The truth, man, thou hast spoken,

Of it thou mayest be sure,

For I must lose my precious blood

For thee and thousands more.

If any one should come this way,And enquire for me alone,Tell him that Jesus passed byAs thou thy seed did sow.

If any one should come this way,

And enquire for me alone,

Tell him that Jesus passed by

As thou thy seed did sow.

After that there came king Herod,With his train so furiously,Enquiring of the husbandmanWhether Jesus passed by.

After that there came king Herod,

With his train so furiously,

Enquiring of the husbandman

Whether Jesus passed by.

Why the truth it must be spoke,And the truth it must be known,For Jesus passed by this way,When my seed was sown.

Why the truth it must be spoke,

And the truth it must be known,

For Jesus passed by this way,

When my seed was sown.

But now I have it reapen,And some laid on my wain,Ready to fetch and carryInto my barn again.

But now I have it reapen,

And some laid on my wain,

Ready to fetch and carry

Into my barn again.

Turn back, says the captain,Your labour and mine’s in vain,It’s full three quarters of a yearSince he his seed has sown.

Turn back, says the captain,

Your labour and mine’s in vain,

It’s full three quarters of a year

Since he his seed has sown.

So Herod was deceived,By the work of God’s own hand,And further he proceededInto the Holy Land.

So Herod was deceived,

By the work of God’s own hand,

And further he proceeded

Into the Holy Land.

There’s thousands of children young,Which for his sake did die;Do not forbid those little ones,And do not them deny.

There’s thousands of children young,

Which for his sake did die;

Do not forbid those little ones,

And do not them deny.

The truth now I have spoken,And the truth now I have shown;Even the blessed virgin,She’s now brought forth a Son.

The truth now I have spoken,

And the truth now I have shown;

Even the blessed virgin,

She’s now brought forth a Son.

AAS it fell out one May morning,And upon one bright holiday,Sweet Jesus asked of his dear mother,If He might go to play.To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go,And to play pray get you gone,And let me hear of no complaint,At night when you come home.Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town,As far as the Holy Well,And there did see as fine childrenAs any tongue can tell.He said, God bless you every one,And your bodies Christ save and see;Little children, shall I play with you,And you shall play with me?But they made answer to him, No!They were lords’ and ladies’ sons;And He, the meanest of them all,A maiden’s child, born in an oxen’s stall.Sweet Jesus turned him around,And he neither laugh’d nor smil’d,But the tears came trickling from his eyes,Like water from the skies.Sweet Jesus turned him about,To his mother’s dear home went he,And said, I have been in yonder town,As after you may see.I have been down in yonder town,As far as the Holy Well,And there did I meet as fine childrenAs any tongue can tell.I bid God bless them every one,And their bodies Christ save and see;Little children, shall I play with you,And you shall play with me?But they made answer to me, No!They were lords’ and ladies’ sons,And I, the meanest of them all,A maiden’s child, born in an ox’s stall.Though you are but a maiden’s child,Born in an ox’s stall,Thou art the Christ, the King of Heaven,And the Saviour of them all.Sweet Jesus go down to yonder town,As far as the Holy Well,And take away those sinful soulsAnd dip them deep in hell.Nay, nay, sweet Jesus said,Nay, nay, that may not be,For there are too many sinful soulsCrying out for the help of me.O then spoke the angel Gabriel,Upon one good Saint Stephen,Altho’ you’re but a maiden’s child,You are the King of Heaven.

AAS it fell out one May morning,And upon one bright holiday,Sweet Jesus asked of his dear mother,If He might go to play.

AS it fell out one May morning,

And upon one bright holiday,

Sweet Jesus asked of his dear mother,

If He might go to play.

To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go,And to play pray get you gone,And let me hear of no complaint,At night when you come home.

To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go,

And to play pray get you gone,

And let me hear of no complaint,

At night when you come home.

Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town,As far as the Holy Well,And there did see as fine childrenAs any tongue can tell.

Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town,

As far as the Holy Well,

And there did see as fine children

As any tongue can tell.

He said, God bless you every one,And your bodies Christ save and see;Little children, shall I play with you,And you shall play with me?

He said, God bless you every one,

And your bodies Christ save and see;

Little children, shall I play with you,

And you shall play with me?

But they made answer to him, No!They were lords’ and ladies’ sons;And He, the meanest of them all,A maiden’s child, born in an oxen’s stall.

But they made answer to him, No!

They were lords’ and ladies’ sons;

And He, the meanest of them all,

A maiden’s child, born in an oxen’s stall.

Sweet Jesus turned him around,And he neither laugh’d nor smil’d,But the tears came trickling from his eyes,Like water from the skies.

Sweet Jesus turned him around,

And he neither laugh’d nor smil’d,

But the tears came trickling from his eyes,

Like water from the skies.

Sweet Jesus turned him about,To his mother’s dear home went he,And said, I have been in yonder town,As after you may see.

Sweet Jesus turned him about,

To his mother’s dear home went he,

And said, I have been in yonder town,

As after you may see.

I have been down in yonder town,As far as the Holy Well,And there did I meet as fine childrenAs any tongue can tell.

I have been down in yonder town,

As far as the Holy Well,

And there did I meet as fine children

As any tongue can tell.

I bid God bless them every one,And their bodies Christ save and see;Little children, shall I play with you,And you shall play with me?

I bid God bless them every one,

And their bodies Christ save and see;

Little children, shall I play with you,

And you shall play with me?

But they made answer to me, No!They were lords’ and ladies’ sons,And I, the meanest of them all,A maiden’s child, born in an ox’s stall.

But they made answer to me, No!

They were lords’ and ladies’ sons,

And I, the meanest of them all,

A maiden’s child, born in an ox’s stall.

Though you are but a maiden’s child,Born in an ox’s stall,Thou art the Christ, the King of Heaven,And the Saviour of them all.

Though you are but a maiden’s child,

Born in an ox’s stall,

Thou art the Christ, the King of Heaven,

And the Saviour of them all.

Sweet Jesus go down to yonder town,As far as the Holy Well,And take away those sinful soulsAnd dip them deep in hell.

Sweet Jesus go down to yonder town,

As far as the Holy Well,

And take away those sinful souls

And dip them deep in hell.

Nay, nay, sweet Jesus said,Nay, nay, that may not be,For there are too many sinful soulsCrying out for the help of me.

Nay, nay, sweet Jesus said,

Nay, nay, that may not be,

For there are too many sinful souls

Crying out for the help of me.

O then spoke the angel Gabriel,Upon one good Saint Stephen,Altho’ you’re but a maiden’s child,You are the King of Heaven.

O then spoke the angel Gabriel,

Upon one good Saint Stephen,

Altho’ you’re but a maiden’s child,

You are the King of Heaven.

AA VIRGIN most pure as the prophets do tell,Hath brought forth a babe, as it hath befell,To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin,Which Adam’s transgression had wrapt us all in.Rejoice and be you merry, set sorrow aside,Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.In Bethlehem city, in Jury it was,Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,And there to be taxed with many one more,For Cæsar commanded the same should be so.Rejoice, &c.But when they had entered the city so far,The number of people so mighty was there,That Joseph and Mary whose substance was small,Could get in the city no lodging at all.Rejoice, &c.Then they were constrained in a stable to lie,Where oxen and asses they used to tie;Their lodging so simple, they held it no scorn,But against the next morning our Saviour was born.Rejoice, &c.The King of all Glory to the world being brought,Small store of fine linen to wrap him was bought;When Mary had swaddled her young son so sweet,Within an ox manger, she laid him to sleep.Rejoice, &c.Then God sent an angel from heaven so high,To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay,Because that our Saviour was born on this day.Rejoice, &c.Then presently after the shepherds did spyA number of angels appear in the sky,Who joyfully talked and sweetly did sing,To God be all glory, our Heavenly King.Rejoice, &c.Three certain wise princes, they thought it most meet,To lay their rich offerings at our Saviour’s feet;Then the shepherds consented and to Bethlehem did go,And when they came thither, they found it was so.Rejoice, &c.

A VIRGIN most pure as the prophets do tell,

Hath brought forth a babe, as it hath befell,

To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin,

Which Adam’s transgression had wrapt us all in.

Rejoice and be you merry, set sorrow aside,

Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.

In Bethlehem city, in Jury it was,Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,And there to be taxed with many one more,For Cæsar commanded the same should be so.Rejoice, &c.

In Bethlehem city, in Jury it was,

Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,

And there to be taxed with many one more,

For Cæsar commanded the same should be so.

Rejoice, &c.

But when they had entered the city so far,The number of people so mighty was there,That Joseph and Mary whose substance was small,Could get in the city no lodging at all.Rejoice, &c.

But when they had entered the city so far,

The number of people so mighty was there,

That Joseph and Mary whose substance was small,

Could get in the city no lodging at all.

Rejoice, &c.

Then they were constrained in a stable to lie,Where oxen and asses they used to tie;Their lodging so simple, they held it no scorn,But against the next morning our Saviour was born.Rejoice, &c.

Then they were constrained in a stable to lie,

Where oxen and asses they used to tie;

Their lodging so simple, they held it no scorn,

But against the next morning our Saviour was born.

Rejoice, &c.

The King of all Glory to the world being brought,Small store of fine linen to wrap him was bought;When Mary had swaddled her young son so sweet,Within an ox manger, she laid him to sleep.Rejoice, &c.

The King of all Glory to the world being brought,

Small store of fine linen to wrap him was bought;

When Mary had swaddled her young son so sweet,

Within an ox manger, she laid him to sleep.

Rejoice, &c.

Then God sent an angel from heaven so high,To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay,Because that our Saviour was born on this day.Rejoice, &c.

Then God sent an angel from heaven so high,

To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,

And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay,

Because that our Saviour was born on this day.

Rejoice, &c.

Then presently after the shepherds did spyA number of angels appear in the sky,Who joyfully talked and sweetly did sing,To God be all glory, our Heavenly King.Rejoice, &c.

Then presently after the shepherds did spy

A number of angels appear in the sky,

Who joyfully talked and sweetly did sing,

To God be all glory, our Heavenly King.

Rejoice, &c.

Three certain wise princes, they thought it most meet,To lay their rich offerings at our Saviour’s feet;Then the shepherds consented and to Bethlehem did go,And when they came thither, they found it was so.Rejoice, &c.

Three certain wise princes, they thought it most meet,

To lay their rich offerings at our Saviour’s feet;

Then the shepherds consented and to Bethlehem did go,

And when they came thither, they found it was so.

Rejoice, &c.

GGOD rest you, merry gentlemen,Let nothing you dismay,For Jesus Christ our SaviourWas born upon this day,To save us all from Satan’s powerWhen we were gone astray.O tidings of comfort and joy,For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day.In Bethlehem, in Jury,This blessed babe was born,And laid within a mangerUpon this blessed morn;The which his mother MaryDid nothing take in scorn.O tidings, &c.From God, our Heavenly Father,A blessed angel came,And unto certain shepherdsBrought tidings of the same,That there was born in BethlehemThe Son of God by name.O tidings, &c.Fear not then, said the Angel,Let nothing you affright,This day is born a SaviourOf a pure Virgin bright;So frequently to vanquish allThe friends of Satan quite.O tidings, &c.The shepherds at these tidingsRejoiced much in mind,And left their flocks a feedingIn tempest, storm, and wind,And went to Bethlehem straightway,This blessed Babe to find.O tidings, &c.But when they came to Bethlehem,Where our dear Saviour lay,They found Him in a manger,Where oxen fed on hay;His mother, Mary, kneeling,Unto the Lord did pray.O tidings, &c.Now to the Lord sing praisesAll you within this place,And with true love and brotherhoodEach other now embrace;This holy tide of ChristmasAll others doth deface.O tidings, &c.

GOD rest you, merry gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay,

For Jesus Christ our Saviour

Was born upon this day,

To save us all from Satan’s power

When we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day.

In Bethlehem, in Jury,This blessed babe was born,And laid within a mangerUpon this blessed morn;The which his mother MaryDid nothing take in scorn.O tidings, &c.

In Bethlehem, in Jury,

This blessed babe was born,

And laid within a manger

Upon this blessed morn;

The which his mother Mary

Did nothing take in scorn.

O tidings, &c.

From God, our Heavenly Father,A blessed angel came,And unto certain shepherdsBrought tidings of the same,That there was born in BethlehemThe Son of God by name.O tidings, &c.

From God, our Heavenly Father,

A blessed angel came,

And unto certain shepherds

Brought tidings of the same,

That there was born in Bethlehem

The Son of God by name.

O tidings, &c.

Fear not then, said the Angel,Let nothing you affright,This day is born a SaviourOf a pure Virgin bright;So frequently to vanquish allThe friends of Satan quite.O tidings, &c.

Fear not then, said the Angel,

Let nothing you affright,

This day is born a Saviour

Of a pure Virgin bright;

So frequently to vanquish all

The friends of Satan quite.

O tidings, &c.

The shepherds at these tidingsRejoiced much in mind,And left their flocks a feedingIn tempest, storm, and wind,And went to Bethlehem straightway,This blessed Babe to find.O tidings, &c.

The shepherds at these tidings

Rejoiced much in mind,

And left their flocks a feeding

In tempest, storm, and wind,

And went to Bethlehem straightway,

This blessed Babe to find.

O tidings, &c.

But when they came to Bethlehem,Where our dear Saviour lay,They found Him in a manger,Where oxen fed on hay;His mother, Mary, kneeling,Unto the Lord did pray.O tidings, &c.

But when they came to Bethlehem,

Where our dear Saviour lay,

They found Him in a manger,

Where oxen fed on hay;

His mother, Mary, kneeling,

Unto the Lord did pray.

O tidings, &c.

Now to the Lord sing praisesAll you within this place,And with true love and brotherhoodEach other now embrace;This holy tide of ChristmasAll others doth deface.O tidings, &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 Christmas

All others doth deface.

O tidings, &c.

GGOD’S dear Son without beginning,Whom the wicked Jews did scorn;The only wise without all sinningOn this blessed day was born.To save us all from sin and thrall,When we in Satan’s chains were bound,And shed his blood to do us good,With many a purple bleeding wound.At Bethlehem, king David’s city,Mary’s Babe had sweet creation,God and Man endu’d with pity,And a Saviour of each nation.Yet Jewry land with cruel hand,Both first and last his power envy’d;Where He was born, they did Him scorn,And shew’d Him malice when He died.No princely palace for our Saviour,In Judea could be found.But blessed Mary’s meek behaviour,Patiently upon the ground,Her babe did place in vile disgrace,Where oxen in their stalls did feed;No midwife mild had this sweet Child,Nor woman’s help at mother’s need.No kingly robes nor golden treasureDeck’d the birth-day of God’s Son;No pompal train at all took pleasureTo this King of kings to run.No mantle brave could Jesus have,Upon His cradle for to lye;No musick’s charms in nurse’s arms,To sing the Babe a lullaby.Yet as Mary sat in solace,By our Saviour’s first beginning,Hosts of angels from God’s palaceSounded sweet from Heaven singing;Yea, heaven and earth, for Jesus’ birth,With sweet melodious tunes abound,And every thing for Jewry’s King,Upon the earth gave chearful sound.Then with angel’s love inspired,The wise princes from the East,To Bethlehem as they desired,Came whereas the Lord did rest:And there they laid before the maid,Before her Son, our God and King,Their offerings sweet, as was most meet,Unto so great a power to bring.Now to Him that us redeemed,By His precious death and passion;And us sinners so esteemedTo buy us dearly thus salvation;Yield lasting fame that still the nameOf Jesus may be honored here;And let us say that Christmas DayIs still the best day in the year.

GOD’S dear Son without beginning,

Whom the wicked Jews did scorn;

The only wise without all sinning

On this blessed day was born.

To save us all from sin and thrall,

When we in Satan’s chains were bound,

And shed his blood to do us good,

With many a purple bleeding wound.

At Bethlehem, king David’s city,Mary’s Babe had sweet creation,God and Man endu’d with pity,And a Saviour of each nation.Yet Jewry land with cruel hand,Both first and last his power envy’d;Where He was born, they did Him scorn,And shew’d Him malice when He died.

At Bethlehem, king David’s city,

Mary’s Babe had sweet creation,

God and Man endu’d with pity,

And a Saviour of each nation.

Yet Jewry land with cruel hand,

Both first and last his power envy’d;

Where He was born, they did Him scorn,

And shew’d Him malice when He died.

No princely palace for our Saviour,In Judea could be found.But blessed Mary’s meek behaviour,Patiently upon the ground,Her babe did place in vile disgrace,Where oxen in their stalls did feed;No midwife mild had this sweet Child,Nor woman’s help at mother’s need.

No princely palace for our Saviour,

In Judea could be found.

But blessed Mary’s meek behaviour,

Patiently upon the ground,

Her babe did place in vile disgrace,

Where oxen in their stalls did feed;

No midwife mild had this sweet Child,

Nor woman’s help at mother’s need.

No kingly robes nor golden treasureDeck’d the birth-day of God’s Son;No pompal train at all took pleasureTo this King of kings to run.No mantle brave could Jesus have,Upon His cradle for to lye;No musick’s charms in nurse’s arms,To sing the Babe a lullaby.

No kingly robes nor golden treasure

Deck’d the birth-day of God’s Son;

No pompal train at all took pleasure

To this King of kings to run.

No mantle brave could Jesus have,

Upon His cradle for to lye;

No musick’s charms in nurse’s arms,

To sing the Babe a lullaby.

Yet as Mary sat in solace,By our Saviour’s first beginning,Hosts of angels from God’s palaceSounded sweet from Heaven singing;Yea, heaven and earth, for Jesus’ birth,With sweet melodious tunes abound,And every thing for Jewry’s King,Upon the earth gave chearful sound.

Yet as Mary sat in solace,

By our Saviour’s first beginning,

Hosts of angels from God’s palace

Sounded sweet from Heaven singing;

Yea, heaven and earth, for Jesus’ birth,

With sweet melodious tunes abound,

And every thing for Jewry’s King,

Upon the earth gave chearful sound.

Then with angel’s love inspired,The wise princes from the East,To Bethlehem as they desired,Came whereas the Lord did rest:And there they laid before the maid,Before her Son, our God and King,Their offerings sweet, as was most meet,Unto so great a power to bring.

Then with angel’s love inspired,

The wise princes from the East,

To Bethlehem as they desired,

Came whereas the Lord did rest:

And there they laid before the maid,

Before her Son, our God and King,

Their offerings sweet, as was most meet,

Unto so great a power to bring.

Now to Him that us redeemed,By His precious death and passion;And us sinners so esteemedTo buy us dearly thus salvation;

Now to Him that us redeemed,

By His precious death and passion;

And us sinners so esteemed

To buy us dearly thus salvation;

Yield lasting fame that still the nameOf Jesus may be honored here;And let us say that Christmas DayIs still the best day in the year.

Yield lasting fame that still the name

Of Jesus may be honored here;

And let us say that Christmas Day

Is still the best day in the year.

II SAW 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 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 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 three,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;Pray whither sailed those ships all three,On Christmas Day in the morning.O, they sailed into Bethlehem,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;O, they sailed into Bethlehem,On 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 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 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 amain,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;Then let us all rejoice amain,On Christmas Day in the morning.

II SAW three ships come sailing inOn Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;I saw three ships come sailing inOn Christmas Day in the morning.

I SAW 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 three,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?And what was in those ships all three,On 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 lady,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;Our Saviour Christ and his lady,On 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 three,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;Pray whither sailed those ships all three,On 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 into Bethlehem,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;O, they sailed into Bethlehem,On Christmas Day in the morning.

O, they sailed into Bethlehem,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

O, they sailed into Bethlehem,

On 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 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 sing,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;And all the angels in Heaven shall sing,On 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 sing,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;And all the souls on earth shall sing,On 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 amain,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;Then let us all rejoice amain,On 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.

TTHE first nowell the angel did sayWas to three poor shepherds in the fields as they lay;In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,In a cold winter’s night that was so deep.Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,Born is the King of Israel.They looked up and saw a starShining in the east, beyond them far,And to the earth it gave great light,And so it continued both day and night.Nowell, &c.And by the light of that same star,Three wise men came from country far;To seek for a King was their intent,And to follow the star wherever it went.Nowell, &c.This star drew nigh to the north-west,O’er Bethlehem it took its rest,And there it did both stop and stayRight over the place where Jesus lay.Nowell, &c.Then did they know assuredlyWithin that house the King did lie;One entered in then for to see,And found the Babe in poverty.Nowell, &c.Then enter’d in those wise men three,Most reverently upon their knee,And offer’d there, in His presence,Both gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.Nowell, &c.Between an ox-stall and an ass,This child truly there born He was;For want of clothing they did Him layAll in the manger, among the hay.Nowell, &c.Then let us all, with one accord,Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord,That hath made Heaven and earth of nought,And with His blood mankind hath bought.Nowell, &c.If we in our time shall do well,We shall be free from death and hell;For God hath prepared for us allA resting-place in general.Nowell, &c.

THE first nowell the angel did say

Was to three poor shepherds in the fields as they lay;

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,

In a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,

Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a starShining in the east, beyond them far,And to the earth it gave great light,And so it continued both day and night.Nowell, &c.

They looked up and saw a star

Shining in the east, beyond them far,

And to the earth it gave great light,

And so it continued both day and night.

Nowell, &c.

And by the light of that same star,Three wise men came from country far;To seek for a King was their intent,And to follow the star wherever it went.Nowell, &c.

And by the light of that same star,

Three wise men came from country far;

To seek for a King was their intent,

And to follow the star wherever it went.

Nowell, &c.

This star drew nigh to the north-west,O’er Bethlehem it took its rest,And there it did both stop and stayRight over the place where Jesus lay.Nowell, &c.

This star drew nigh to the north-west,

O’er Bethlehem it took its rest,

And there it did both stop and stay

Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Nowell, &c.

Then did they know assuredlyWithin that house the King did lie;One entered in then for to see,And found the Babe in poverty.Nowell, &c.

Then did they know assuredly

Within that house the King did lie;

One entered in then for to see,

And found the Babe in poverty.

Nowell, &c.

Then enter’d in those wise men three,Most reverently upon their knee,And offer’d there, in His presence,Both gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.Nowell, &c.

Then enter’d in those wise men three,

Most reverently upon their knee,

And offer’d there, in His presence,

Both gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

Nowell, &c.

Between an ox-stall and an ass,This child truly there born He was;For want of clothing they did Him layAll in the manger, among the hay.Nowell, &c.

Between an ox-stall and an ass,

This child truly there born He was;

For want of clothing they did Him lay

All in the manger, among the hay.

Nowell, &c.

Then let us all, with one accord,Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord,That hath made Heaven and earth of nought,And with His blood mankind hath bought.Nowell, &c.

Then let us all, with one accord,

Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord,

That hath made Heaven and earth of nought,

And with His blood mankind hath bought.

Nowell, &c.

If we in our time shall do well,We shall be free from death and hell;For God hath prepared for us allA resting-place in general.Nowell, &c.

If we in our time shall do well,

We shall be free from death and hell;

For God hath prepared for us all

A resting-place in general.

Nowell, &c.

TTHE Lord at first had Adam madeOut of the dust and clay,And in his nostrils breathed life,E’en as the Scriptures say;And then in Eden’s ParadiseHe placed him to dwell,That he within it should remain,To dress and keep it well.Now let good Christians all beginAn holy life to live,And to rejoice and merry be,For this is Christmas Eve.And thus within the garden heCommanded was to stay;And unto him in commandmentThese words the Lord did say:“The fruit that in the garden growsTo thee shall be for meat,Except the tree in the midst thereof,Of which thou shalt not eat.Now let good, &c.“For in that day thou dost it touch,Or dost it then come nigh,And if that thou dost eat thereof,Then thou shalt surely die.”But Adam he did take no heedTo that same only thing,But did transgress God’s holy laws,And sore was wrapp’d in sin.Now let good, &c.Now mark the goodness of the Lord,Which He to mankind bore;His mercy soon he did extendLost man for to restore;And then, for to redeem our soulsFrom death, and hell, and thrall,He said his own dear Son should comeThe Saviour of us all.Now let good, &c.Which promise now is brought to pass,Christians believe it well,And by the coming of God’s Son,We are redeem’d from hell.And if we truly do believe,And do the thing that’s right,Then by His merits we at lastShall live in Heaven bright.Now let good, &c.Now, for the benefits that weEnjoy from Heaven above,Let us renounce all wickedness,And live in perfect love.Then shall we do Christ’s own command,Even his written word;And when we die, in Heaven we shallEnjoy our living Lord.Now let good, &c.And now the tide is nigh at hand,In which our Saviour came;Let us rejoice and merry be,In keeping of the same.Let’s feed the poor and hungry sort,And such as do it crave;And when we die, in Heaven be sureOur reward we shall have.Now let good, &c.

THE Lord at first had Adam made

Out of the dust and clay,

And in his nostrils breathed life,

E’en as the Scriptures say;

And then in Eden’s Paradise

He placed him to dwell,

That he within it should remain,

To dress and keep it well.

Now let good Christians all begin

An holy life to live,

And to rejoice and merry be,

For this is Christmas Eve.

And thus within the garden heCommanded was to stay;And unto him in commandmentThese words the Lord did say:“The fruit that in the garden growsTo thee shall be for meat,Except the tree in the midst thereof,Of which thou shalt not eat.Now let good, &c.

And thus within the garden he

Commanded was to stay;

And unto him in commandment

These words the Lord did say:

“The fruit that in the garden grows

To thee shall be for meat,

Except the tree in the midst thereof,

Of which thou shalt not eat.

Now let good, &c.

“For in that day thou dost it touch,Or dost it then come nigh,And if that thou dost eat thereof,Then thou shalt surely die.”But Adam he did take no heedTo that same only thing,But did transgress God’s holy laws,And sore was wrapp’d in sin.Now let good, &c.

“For in that day thou dost it touch,

Or dost it then come nigh,

And if that thou dost eat thereof,

Then thou shalt surely die.”

But Adam he did take no heed

To that same only thing,

But did transgress God’s holy laws,

And sore was wrapp’d in sin.

Now let good, &c.

Now mark the goodness of the Lord,Which He to mankind bore;His mercy soon he did extendLost man for to restore;And then, for to redeem our soulsFrom death, and hell, and thrall,He said his own dear Son should comeThe Saviour of us all.Now let good, &c.

Now mark the goodness of the Lord,

Which He to mankind bore;

His mercy soon he did extend

Lost man for to restore;

And then, for to redeem our souls

From death, and hell, and thrall,

He said his own dear Son should come

The Saviour of us all.

Now let good, &c.

Which promise now is brought to pass,Christians believe it well,And by the coming of God’s Son,We are redeem’d from hell.And if we truly do believe,And do the thing that’s right,Then by His merits we at lastShall live in Heaven bright.Now let good, &c.

Which promise now is brought to pass,

Christians believe it well,

And by the coming of God’s Son,

We are redeem’d from hell.

And if we truly do believe,

And do the thing that’s right,

Then by His merits we at last

Shall live in Heaven bright.

Now let good, &c.

Now, for the benefits that weEnjoy from Heaven above,Let us renounce all wickedness,And live in perfect love.Then shall we do Christ’s own command,Even his written word;And when we die, in Heaven we shallEnjoy our living Lord.Now let good, &c.

Now, for the benefits that we

Enjoy from Heaven above,

Let us renounce all wickedness,

And live in perfect love.

Then shall we do Christ’s own command,

Even his written word;

And when we die, in Heaven we shall

Enjoy our living Lord.

Now let good, &c.

And now the tide is nigh at hand,In which our Saviour came;Let us rejoice and merry be,In keeping of the same.Let’s feed the poor and hungry sort,And such as do it crave;And when we die, in Heaven be sureOur reward we shall have.Now let good, &c.

And now the tide is nigh at hand,

In which our Saviour came;

Let us rejoice and merry be,

In keeping of the same.

Let’s feed the poor and hungry sort,

And such as do it crave;

And when we die, in Heaven be sure

Our reward we shall have.

Now let good, &c.

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