Be taxed by his great command.

In David’s city, in Bethlehem,

Great store of people thither came,

According to the king’s decree,

In Jury land taxed to be.

Then Joseph with his virgin bright,

Came with the rest at that same tide,

And their substance being but small,

Could get in the inn no lodging at all.

At length a stable room they had,

In which the virgin was full glad;

And in that stable so forlorn

The world’s Redeemer there was born.

No palace nor a costly inn

Was found to put our Saviour in;

No costly robes of silver and gold,

To wrap Him in as reason would.

No music nor sweet melody,

But glorious angels from on high,

Declare to shepherds where they lay,

That Jesus Christ was born this day.

Thus Jesus Christ, in humble wise,

Appeared thus to human eyes;

Then may we all both more and less

Cast off the bands of wickedness.

Let variance, strife, and all debate,

’Twixt neighbours now be out of date,

That peace may spread throughout earth then,

There shall be good will with men.

Rejoice, rejoice, in sober wise,

And praise the Lord who rules the skies,

Who for our sakes thought it no scorn

To give command now Christ is born.