Part 2
2. Let all your songs and praises be Unto His Heavenly Majesty; And evermore, amongst our mirth, Remember Christ our Saviour’s birth. For, to redeem our souls from thrall, Christ is the Saviour of us all.
3. If choirs of Angels did rejoice, Well may mankind with heart and voice Sing praises to the God of Heaven, Who unto us His Son has given. For, to redeem our souls from thrall, Christ is the Saviour of us all.
King Pharaoh—Part I.
[Music: THE MIRACLE OF THE COCK
SUSSEX GYPSIES’ CAROL.]
1. King Pharaoh sat a-musing, A-musing all alone; There came the blessèd Saviour, Though all to him unknown.
2. “Say, where did you come from, good man? Oh, where did you then pass?” “It is out of the Land of Egypt, Between an ox and ass.”
3. “Oh, if you come out of Egypt, man, One thing I deem thou know’st: Is Jesus born of Mary And of the Holy Ghost?
4. “And if the news be true, good man, That you are telling me, Make this roasted cock to crow three times In the dish which here we see.”
5. Oh, it’s straight away the cock did rise, All feathered to the hand; Three times the roasted cock did crow On the dish where it did stand.
King Pharaoh—Part II.
[Music: THE MIRACULOUS HARVEST]
1. Oh, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus Were travelling for the west; When Mary grew a-weary She might sit down and rest.
2. They travelled further and further, The weather being so warm, Till they came unto a husbandman A-sowing of his corn.
3. “Come, husbandman,” cried Jesus, “Cast all your seed away, And carry home as ripened corn What you have sowed this day.
4. “To keep your wife and family From sorrow, grief, and pain, And keep Christ in remembrance Till seed-time comes again.”
The Black Decree
A SHROPSHIRE VERSION.
1.
Let Christians all with one accord rejoice And praises sing with heart as well as voice, To God on high, for wonders He hath done In sending us His well belovèd Son.
2.
The night before that happy day of grace The Virgin Mother, she had no resting place; She and her pious Joseph were so low They scarcely knew which way or where to go.
3.
For they were forced to wander up and down And they could find no lodging in the town; But in an ox’s stall where beasts are fed His mother made our Lord His lowly bed.
4.
Three wise men by a star were thither brought And found the blessèd Babe they long had sought. The best of spices and rich costly things They humbly offered unto the King of kings.
5.
Then rather than the Lord of life betray They worshipped Him and went another way, Which so enraged the wicked Herod then (The Jewish king, the very worst of men);
6.
He caused young harmless infants to be killed; All under two years old, their blood was spilled. Dear parents’ tears could not his rage prevent, Nor pity move the tyrant to repent.
7.
The Black Decree went all the country round, To kill and murder children both sick and sound; They tore young infants from their mothers’ breast, Thinking to murder Christ among the rest.
8.
But God above, Who knew what would be done, Had sent to Egypt His Belovèd Son: Where with His earthly parents He was fed Until that cruel tyrant he was dead.
[Music: The Black Decree]
Somersetshire Wassail
[Music]
1. Wassail! wassail! all round the town, For the cup is white and the ale is brown, For it’s our wassail, and ’tis your wassail, And ’tis joy come to our jolly wassail!
2. The cup is made of the ashen tree, And the ale is made of the best barley, For it’s our wassail, etc.
3. O maid, fair maid in holland smock, Come ope the door and turn the lock, For it’s our wassail, etc.
4. O master, mistress, that sit by the fire, Consider us poor travellers all in the mire, For it’s our wassail, etc.
5. Put out the ale and raw milk cheese, And then you shall see how happy we be’s, For it’s our wassail, etc.
A Child this Day is born
[Music]
1. A Child this day is born, A Child of high renown; Most worthy of a sceptre, A sceptre and a crown. CHORUS. Glad tidings to all men, Glad tidings sing we may, Because the King of kings Was born on Christmas Day.
2. These tidings shepherds heard Whilst watching o’er their fold; ’Twas by an Angel unto them That night revealed and told. Glad tidings, etc.
3. Then was there with the Angel A host incontinent Of heavenly bright soldiers All from the Highest sent. Glad tidings, etc.
4. They praised the Lord our God, And our Celestial King; “All glory be in Paradise,” This heavenly host did sing. Glad tidings, etc.
5. All glory be to God, That sitteth still on high, With praises and with triumph great, And joyful melody. Glad tidings, etc.
The Moon shines bright
[Music: SURREY AND SUSSEX NEW YEAR CAROL.]
1. Oh, the moon shines bright, and the stars give a light; In a little time it will be day, The Lord our God He calls upon us all, And He bids us awake and pray.
2. Awake, awake, good people all! Awake, and you shall hear: Our blessèd Saviour died upon the Cross, For Christ loved us so dear.
3. So dear, so dear Christ loved us all, He for our sins was slain; Leave off, O men, your wicked, wicked ways, And turn to the Lord again.
4. Oh, the life of man it is but a span, He flourishes like a flower, He’s here to-day, and to-morrow he is gone, And he’s dead all in an hour.
5. Oh, teach your children well, good men, As long as here you stay, For it will be better for your sweet souls, When your bodies lie under the clay.
6. There’s a green turf for our heads, good men And another for our feet, Where our good deeds and our evil deeds too Together all will meet.
A Carol for Twelfth Day
[Music]
1. Mark well my heavy doleful tale For Twelfth Day now is come, And now I must no longer stay, And say no word but mum. For I perforce must take my leave Of all my dainty cheer— Plum porridge, roast beef, and minc’d pies, My strong ale and my beer.
2. Kind hearted Christmas, now adieu, For I with thee must part; But oh! to take my leave of thee Doth grieve me at the heart. Thou wert an ancient housekeeper, And mirth with meat didst keep, But thou art going out of town Which causes me to weep.
3. Come, butler, fill a brimmer full, To cheer my fainting heart, That to old Christmas I may drink Before he does depart. And let each one that’s in the room With me likewise condole, And now to cheer their spirits sad Let each one drink a bowl.
4. And when the same it hath gone round, Then fall unto your cheer; For you well know that Christmas time It comes but once a year. Thanks to my master and my dame That do such cheer afford, God bless them, that each Christmas they May furnish so their board.
The Lord at first did Adam make
A CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS EVE.
1.
The Lord at first did Adam make Out of the dust and clay, And in his nostrils breathèd life, E’en as the Scriptures say. And then in Eden’s Paradise He placèd him to dwell, That he within it should remain, To dress and keep it well. Now let good Christians all begin A holy life to live, And to rejoice and merry be, For this is Christmas Eve.
2.
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 midst thereof, Of which thou shalt not eat.” Now let good Christians, etc.
3.
“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 holy thing, But did transgress God’s holy laws, And sore was wrapp’d in sin. Now let good Christians all begin A holy life to live, And to rejoice and merry be, For this is Christmas Eve.
4.
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 Christians, etc.
5.
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 Christians, etc.
[Music: The Lord at first did Adam make
A CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS EVE.]
The Seven Joys of Mary
TINKERS’ CAROL FROM ASHDOWN FOREST.
1.
The first good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of one; To see the blessèd Jesus When He was first her Son. When He was first her Son, good Lord, And happy may we be; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost To all eternity.
2.
The next good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of two; To see her own Son Jesus To make the lame to go. To make the lame to go, good Lord, etc.
3.
The next good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of three; To see her own Son Jesus To make the blind to see. To make the blind to see, good Lord, etc.
4.
The next good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of four; To see her own Son Jesus To read the Bible o’er. To read the Bible o’er, good Lord, And happy may we be; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost To all eternity.
5.
The next good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of five; To see her own Son Jesus To raise the dead to life. To raise the dead to life, good Lord, etc.
6.
The next good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of six; To see her own Son Jesus Upon the Crucifix. Upon the Crucifix, good Lord, etc.
7.
The next good joy that Mary had, It was the joy of seven; To see her own Son Jesus Ascending into heaven. Ascending into heaven, good Lord, etc.
[Music: The Seven Joys of Mary
TINKERS’ CAROL FROM ASHDOWN FOREST.]
The Sussex Mummers’ Carol
[Music]
1.
A glorious Angel from Heaven came Unto a virtuous maid, Strange tidings and great news of joy The humble Mary had, The humble Mary had.
2.
O mortal man, remember well When Christ our Lord was born, He was crucified betwixt two thieves And crownèd with the thorn.
3.
O mortal man, remember well When Christ died on the rood; ’Twas for our sins and wicked ways Christ shed His precious blood.
4.
O mortal man, remember well When Christ was wrapped in clay, He was taken to a sepulchre Where no man ever lay.
5.
God bless the mistress of this house With gold chain round her breast; Where e’er her body sleeps or wakes, Lord send her soul to rest.
6.
God bless the master of this house With happiness beside; Where e’er his body rides or walks, Lord Jesus be his guide.
7.
God bless your house, your children too, Your cattle and your store; The Lord increase you day by day, And give you more and more.
As I sat on a Sunny Bank
[Music]
1.
As I sat on a sunny bank, A sunny bank, a sunny bank; As I sat on a sunny bank, On Christmas Day in the morning,
2.
I spied three ships come sailing by, Come sailing by, come sailing by, I spied three ships come sailing by, On Christmas Day in the morning.
3.
And who should be with these three ships, With these three ships, with these three ships, And who should be with these three ships, But Joseph and his fair lady.
4.
Oh, he did whistle and she did sing, And all the bells on earth did ring For joy, that our Saviour He was born On Christmas Day in the morning.
Pace-Egging[A] Song
[Music: AN EASTER CAROL, AS SUNG FORMERLY ABOUT MIDDLETON, WESTMORLAND.]
1.
Oh, here come we jolly boys, all of one mind, We’ve come a-pace-egging, I hope you’ll prove kind. I hope you’ll prove kind with your eggs and good cheer; We’ll no more come nigh you until the next year. Fol de diddle dum, Fol de day! Fol de diddle di dum day!
2.
The first that comes in is Lord Nelson, you see, He’s a valiant old laddie in every degree; He’s a valiant old lad, and he wears a pigtail, And all his delight is in drinking mulled ale. Fol de diddle dum, etc.
3.
The next that comes in is a jolly Jack Tar, He sailed with Lord Nelson a-during last war; He’s arrived from the sea old England to view, And he’s come the pace-egging with us jolly crew. Fol de diddle dum, etc.
4.
The next that comes in is a soldier, you see, He’s a bunch of blue ribbons right down to his knee, He’s a star on his breast like silver does shine, I hope you’ll remember it’s pace-egging time. Fol de diddle dum, etc.
5.
The last that comes in is old Nan with her bags, For sake of her money she wears but old rags; She’s gold and she’s silver and money in store, She’s come along with us in hopes to get more. Fol de diddle dum, etc.
6.
Ladies and gentlemen that sit by the fire, Put your hand in your pocket, that’s all our desire; Put your hand in your pocket and pull out your purse, And give us a trifle, you’ll not be much worse. Fol de diddle dum, etc.
[Footnote A: Pace = Pâques = Easter.]
_The singers of this and similar “Easter Egg” songs are usually dressed up roughly to represent the characters referred to in the verses._
I’ve been Rambling all the Night
[Music: BEDFORDSHIRE MAY DAY CAROL.]
1.
I’ve been rambling all the night, And the best part of the day, And now I am returning back again, And have brought you a branch of may.
2.
A branch of may, my dear, I say, Before your door I stand; It’s nothing but a sprout, but it’s well budded out By the work of our Lord’s hand.
3.
Go down in your dairy, and fetch me a cup, A cup of your good cheer, And, if I should live to tarry in the town, I will call on you next year.
4.
The hedges and the fields they are so green, As green as any leaf, Our Heavenly Father waters them With His Heavenly dew so sweet.
5.
When I am dead and in my grave, And covered with cold clay, The nightingale will sit and sing And pass the time away.
6.
Take a Bible in your hand And read a chapter through And when the day of Judgment comes, The Lord will think of you.
7.
I have a bag on my right arm Draws up with a silken string, Nothing does it want but a silver piece To line it well within.
8.
And now my song is almost done, I can no longer stay, God bless you all, both great and small, I wish you a joyful May.
Good Christian Men, rejoice
[Music]
1.
Good Christian men, rejoice With heart, and soul, and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born to-day! Ox and ass before Him bow, And He is in the manger now. Christ is born to-day! Christ is born to-day!
2.
Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath ope’d the heavenly door, And man is blessèd evermore. Christ is born for this! Christ is born for this!
3.
Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all, To gain His everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!