  "This carol they began that hour With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino!" Shakespeare. WHO'S THERE?Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell, Who ys there that syngith so, nowell, nowell, nowell? I am here, syre Christmasse! Well come, my lord syre Christmasse, Welcome to us all, bothe more and lesse, Come nere, nowell! Dieu vous garde, beau syre, tydinges you bryng: A mayd hath born a chylde full yong, The weche causeth yew for to syng, Nowell! Criste is now born of a pure mayde, In an oxe stalle he ys layde, Wher'for syng we alle atte abrayde Nowell! Bebbex bien par tutte la company, Make gode chere and be right mery, And syng with us now joyfully, Nowell! GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN.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 Jewry This blessed babe was born, And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn; The which His mother Mary Nothing did take in scorn. O tidings, etc. From God our Heavenly Father A blessed angel came, And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same, How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by name. O tidings, etc. Let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour Of virtue, power, and might; So frequently to vanquish all The friends of Satan quite. O tidings, etc. The shepherds at those tidings RejoicÉd 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, etc. But when to Bethlehem they came, Whereat this infant lay, They found Him in a manger Where oxen feed on hay; His mother Mary kneeling Unto the Lord did pray. O tidings, etc. 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, etc. WELCOME YULE.Welcome Yule, thou merry man, In worship of this holy day. Welcome be thou, heaven-king, Welcome born in one 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, good New Year, Welcome Twelfth Day, both in fere, Welcome saintÉs lef Welcome Yule. Welcome be ye, Candlemas, Welcome be ye, Queen of Bliss, Welcome both to more and less, Welcome Yule. Welcome all and make good cheer; Welcome all, another year, Welcome Yule. Ritson's Ancient Songs. ANGEL HERALDS.As Joseph was a-walking, He heard an angel sing: "This night shall be born Our Heavenly King; "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 clothÉd In purple nor in pall, But all in fair linen, As we were babies all. "He neither shall be rocked In silver nor in gold, But in a wooden cradle That rocks on the mould. "He neither shall be christened In white wine nor in red, But with fair spring-water With which we were christenÉd." THE MATCHLESS MAIDEN.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 God's mother be. Wright's Songs and Carols. REMEMBER, O THOU MAN.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 then, And I did what I can, Therefore repent. Remember Adam's fall, O thou Man, O thou Man; Remember Adam's fall From Heaven to Hell. Remember Adam's fall, How we were condemnÉd all To Hell perpetual, There for to dwell. 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. O thou Man, O thou Man; The Angels all did sing On Sion hill. The Angels all did sing Praises to our heavenly king, And peace to man living, With right good-will. The Shepherds amazed was, O thou Man, O thou Man; The Shepherds amazed was To hear the angels sing. The Shepherds amazed 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 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 the Angels before did say, O thou Man, O thou Man; As the Angels before did say, So it came to pass. 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 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 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 always, O thou Man, O thou Man; Give thanks to God always With hearts most jolly. Give thanks to God always Upon this blessed day, Let all men sing and say, Holy, Holy. Ravenscroft's Melismata, A.D. 1611. THE SINGERS IN THE SNOW.God bless the master of this house And all that are therein, And to begin this Christmas tide With mirth now let us sing. For the Saviour of all people Upon this time was born, Who did from death deliver us. When we were left forlorn. Then let us all most merry be, And sing with cheerful voice, For we have good occasion now This time for to rejoice. For, etc. Then put away contention all, And fall no more at strife, Let every man with cheerfulness Embrace his loving wife. For, etc. With plenteous food your houses store, Provide some wholesome cheer, And call your friends together That live both far and near. For, etc. Since that we are come here, And we do hope before we part To taste some of your beer. For, etc. Your beer, your beer, your Christmas beer, That seems to be so strong; And we do wish that Christmas-tide Was twenty times so long. For, etc. Then sing with voices cheerfully, For Christ this time was born, Who did from death deliver us, When we were left forlorn. For, etc. A CHRISTMAS CHORUS.Here is joy for every age— Every generation; Prince and peasant, chief and sage, Every tongue and nation, Every tongue and nation, Every rank and station, Hath to-day salvation. Alleluia! When the world drew near its close, Came our Lord and leader; From the lily came the rose, From the bush the cedar, From the bush the cedar, From the judge the pleader, From the saint the feeder. Alleluia! God, that came on earth this morn, In a manger lying, Hallow'd birth by being born, Vanquished death by dying, Vanquished death by dying, Rallied back the flying, Ended sin and sighing. Alleluia! THREE SHIPS.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? 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. 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. JACOB'S LADDER.SAINT STEPHEN, THE CLERK.Saint Stephen was a clerk In King Herod's hall, And servÉd him of bread and cloth As ever king befall. Stephen out of kitchen came With boar's head on hand, He saw a star was fair and bright Over Bethlehem stand. He kist adown the boar's head And went into the hall: "I forsake thee, King Herod, And thy workÉs all. "I forsake thee, King Herod, And thy workÉs all; There is a child in Bethlehem born Is better than we all." "What aileth thee, Stephen? What is thee befall? Lacketh thee either meat or drink In King Herod's hall?" In King Herod's hall; There is a child in Bethlehem born Is better than we all." "What aileth thee, Stephen? Art thou wode, Lacketh thee either gold or fee, Or any rich weed?" "Lacketh me neither gold nor fee, Ne none rich weed; There is a child in Bethlehem born Shall helpen us at our need." "That is also sooth, Also sooth i-wis As this capon crowÉ shall That lieth here in my dish." That word was not so soon said, That word in that hall, The capon crew Christus natus est Among the lordÉs all. "Riseth up, my tormentors, By two and all by one, And stoneth him with stone." Tooken they Stephen And stoned him in the way, And therefore is his even On ChristÉs own day. THE CARNAL AND THE CRANE.As I pass'd by a riverside, And there as I did reign, In argument I chanced to hear A Carnal 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 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. That Christ was rockÉd in? Where are the silken sheets That Jesus was wrapt in? A manger was the cradle That Christ was rockÉd in; The provender the asses left So sweetly He slept on. There was a star in the West-land, So bright did it 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 dish Shall crow full fences The cock soon freshly feathered was By the work of God's own hand, 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 old Now slain they all shall be. Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph, And Mary that was so pure, They travelled 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 beasts Do come and worship me. First came the lovely lion, Which Jesu's grace did spring, And of the wild beasts in the field, The lion shall be the king. We'll choose our virtuous princes, Of birth and high degree, 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 believe Thy name is Jesus called; Redeemer of mankind Thou art, Though undeserving all. The truth, man, thou hast spoken, Of it thou may'st be sure, For I must lose my precious blood For thee and thousands more. If any one should come this way, And inquire for me alone, As thou thy seed did sow. After that there came King Herod, With his train so furiously, Inquiring of the husbandman, Whether Jesus passed by. Why, the truth it must be spoke, And the truth it must be known, For Jesus passÉd by this way When my seed was sown. 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 labor and mine's in vain, It's full three-quarters of a year Since he his seed sown. So Herod was deceivÉd 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; 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 HOLY WELL.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. 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? But they made answer to Him, No: They were lords' and ladies' sons; And He, the meanest of them all, Was but a maiden's child, born in an ox's stall. And He neither laughed nor smiled, 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 far as you can see. I have been down in yonder town As far as the Holy Well, 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? But they made answer to me, No: They were lords' and ladies' sons; And I, the meanest of them all, Was but 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. 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 souls Crying out for the help of me. THE HOLLY AND THE IVY.The Holly and the Ivy, Now both are full well grown; Of all the trees that spring in wood, The holly bears the crown. The holly bears a blossom As white as a lily flow'r; And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ To be our sweet Saviour. The holly bears a berry As red as any blood, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ To do poor sinners good. The holly bears a prickle As sharp as any thorn, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ On Christmas Day in the morn. The holly bears a bark As bitter as any gall, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ For to redeem us all. The holly and the ivy Now are both well grown; Of all the trees that are in the wood, The holly bears the crown. THE CONTEST OF THE VINES.Nay, ivy, nay, It shall not be, I wis; Let holly have the mastery, As the manner is. Holly stand in the hall, Fair to behold; Ivy stand without the door, She is full sore a-cold. Nay, ivy, nay, etc. Holly and his merry men They dancen and they sing; Ivy and her maidens They weepen and they wring. Nay, ivy, nay, etc. Ivy hath a kybe, She caught it with the cold; So mot they all have ae, That with ivy hold. Nay, ivy, nay, etc. As red as any rose, The forester and the hunters Keep them from the does. Nay, ivy, nay, etc. Ivy hath berries As black as any sloe; There come the owl And eat him as she go. Nay, ivy, nay, etc. Holly hath birdÉs A full fair flock, The nightingale, the popinjay, The gentle laverock. Nay, ivy, nay, etc. Nay, ivy, nay, It shall not be, I wis; Let holly have the mastery, As the manner is. ANE SANG OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.A SCOTCH CAROL.I come from hevin to tell The best nowellis that ever befell; To you this tythinges trew I bring, And I will of them say and sing: This day to yow is borne ane childe Of Marie meike and Virgine mylde, That blessit barne, bining and kynde, Sall yow rejoyce baith heart and mynd. My saull and lyfe, stand up and see Quha lyes in ane cribe of tree, Quhat babe is that, so gude and faire? It is Christ, God's sonne and aire. O God, that made all creature, How art Thow becum so pure, That on the hay and stray will lye Amang the asses, oxin, and kye! O my deir hert, young Jesus sweit, Prepare Thy creddill in my spreit, And never mair from Thee depart. But I sall praise Thee evermoir With sangs sweit unto Thy gloir, The knees of my hert sall I bow, And sing that right Balululow. CHRISTMAS MINSTRELSY.The minstrels played their Christmas tune To-night beneath my cottage eaves; While smitten by a lofty moon, The encircling laurels thick with leaves, Gave back a rich and dazzling sheen, That overpowered their natural green. Through hill and valley every breeze Had sunk to rest with folded wings: Keen was the air, but could not freeze Nor check the music of the strings; So stout and hardy were the band That scraped the chords with strenuous hand. And who but listened?—till was paid Respect to every inmate's claim, The greeting given, the music played In honor of each household name, Duly pronounced with lusty call, And a merry Christmas wished to all. O Brother! I revere the choice That took thee from thy native hills; And it is given thee to rejoice: Though public care full often tills A barren and ungrateful soil. Yet would that thou, with me and mine, Hadst heard this never-failing rite; And seen on other faces shine A true revival of the light Which nature, and these rustic powers, In simple childhood, spread through ours! For pleasure hath not ceased to wait On these expected annual rounds, Whether the rich man's sumptuous gate Call forth the unelaborate sounds, Or they are offered at the door That guard the lowliest of the poor. How touching, when at midnight sweep Snow-muffled winds, and all is dark, To hear—and sink again in sleep! Or at an earlier call, to mark, By blazing fire, the still suspense Of self-complacent innocence; The mutual nod—the grave disguise Of hearts with gladness brimming o'er, And some unhidden tears that rise For names once heard, and heard no more; For infant in the cradle laid! Ah! not for emerald fields alone, With ambient streams more pure and bright Than fabled Cytherea's zone Glittering before the Thunderer's sight, Is to my heart of hearts endeared, The ground where we were born and reared! Hail, ancient manners! sure defence, Where they survive, of wholesome laws: Remnants of love whose modest sense Thus into narrow room withdraws; Hail, usages of pristine mould, And ye that guard them, Mountains old! Bear with me, Brother! quench the thought That slights this passion or condemns; If thee fond fancy ever brought From the proud margin of the Thames, And Lambeth's venerable towers, To humble streams and greener bowers. Yes, they can make, who fail to find Short leisure even in busiest days, Moments to cast a look behind, And profit by those kindly rays And all the far-off past reveal. Hence, while the imperial city's din Beats frequent on thy satiate ear, A pleased attention I may win To agitations less severe, That neither overwhelm nor cloy, But fill the hollow vale with joy! William Wordsworth. THE OLD, OLD STORY.Listen, Lordings, unto me, a tale I will you tell, Which, as on this night of glee, in David's town befell. Joseph came from Nazareth, with Mary that sweet maid; Weary were they, nigh to death; and for a lodging pray'd. Sing high, sing high, sing low, sing low, Sing high, sing low, sing to and fro, Go tell it out with speed, Cry out and shout all round about, That Christ is born indeed. In the inn they found no room; a scanty bed they made: Soon a Babe from Mary's womb was in the manger laid. Forth He came as light through glass: He came to save us all, In the stable ox and ass before their Maker fall. Sing high, sing low, etc. Hosts of angels in their sight came down from heaven's high steep. Tidings! tidings! unto you: to you a Child is born, Purer than the drops of dew, and brighter than the morn. Sing high, sing low, etc. Onward then the angels sped, the shepherds onward went, God was in His manger bed, in worship low they bent. In the morning see ye mind, my masters one and all, At the altar Him to find who lay within the stall. Sing high, sing low, etc. H. R. Bramley. A CHRISTMAS BALLAD.Outlanders, whence come ye last? The snow in the street and the wind on the door. Through what green sea and great have ye past? Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. From far away, O masters mine, The snow in the street and the wind on the door. We come to bear you goodly wine: Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. From far away we come to you, The snow in the street and the wind on the door. To tell of great tidings strange and true: Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. News, news of the Trinity, The snow in the street and the wind on the door. And Mary and Joseph from over the sea: Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. For as we wandered far and wide, The snow in the street and the wind on the door. What hope do ye deem there should us betide? Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. The snow in the street and the wind on the door. There lay three shepherds tending their sheep: Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. "O ye shepherds, what have ye seen, The snow in the street and the wind on the door. To slay your sorrow and heal your teen?" Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. "In an ox-stall this night we saw, The snow in the street and the wind on the door. A Babe and a maid without a flaw. Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. "There was an old man there beside, The snow in the street and the wind, on the door. His hair was white, and his hood was wide. Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. "And as we gazed this thing upon, The snow in the street and the wind on the door. Those twain knelt down to the Little One. Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. "And a marvellous song we straight did hear, The snow in the street and the wind on the door. That slew our sorrow and healed our care." Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. The snow in the street and the wind on the door. Nowell, nowell, nowell, we sing! Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. William Morris. A FRENCH NOËL.(TRANSLATED FROM GUI BARÔZAI.)I hear along our street Pass the minstrel throngs; Hark! they play so sweet, On their hautboys, Christmas songs! Let us by the fire Ever higher Sing them till the night expire! In December ring Every day the chimes; Loud the gleemen sing In the streets their merry rhymes. Let us by the fire, etc. Shepherds at the grange, Where the Babe was born, Sang, with many a change, Christmas carols until morn. Let us by the fire, etc. These good people sang Songs devout and sweet; While the rafters rang There they stood with freezing feet. Let us by the fire, etc. At this holy tide For want of something else Christmas songs at times have tried. Let us by the fire, etc. Washerwomen old, To the sound they beat, Sing by rivers cold With uncovered heads and feet. Let us by the fire, etc. Who by the fireside stands Stamps his feet and sings; But he who blows his hands Not so gay a carol brings. Let us by the fire, etc. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. MASTERS, IN THIS HALL."To Bethl'em did they go, the shepherds three; To Bethl'em did they go to see whe'r it were so or no, Whether Christ were born or no To set men free." Masters, in this hall, Hear ye news to-day Brought over sea, And ever I you pray. Nowell! Nowell! Nowell! Nowell! Sing we clear! Holpen are all folk on earth, Born is God's Son so dear. Going over the hills, Through the milk-white snow, Heard I ewes bleat While the winds did blow. Nowell, etc. Shepherds many an one Sat among the sheep; Than they had been asleep. Nowell, etc. Quoth I, "Fellows mine, Why this guise sit ye? Making but dull cheer, Shepherds though ye be? Nowell, etc. "Shepherds should of right Leap, and dance, and sing; Thus to see you sit Is a right strange thing." Nowell, etc. Quoth these fellows three, "To Bethl'em town we go, To see a Mighty Lord Lie in manger low." Nowell, etc. "How name ye this Lord, Shepherds?" then said I. "Very God," they said, "Come from Heaven high." Nowell, etc. Then to Bethl'em town We went two and two, Heard the oxen low. Nowell, etc. Therein did we see A sweet and goodly May, And a fair old man; Upon the straw she lay. Nowell, etc. And a little Child On her arm had she; "Wot ye who is this?" Said the hinds to me. Nowell, etc. Ox and ass Him know, Kneeling on their knee: Wondrous joy had I This little Babe to see. Nowell, etc. This is Christ the Lord: Masters, be ye glad! Christmas is come in, And no folk should be sad. Nowell, etc. William Morris. |
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