Part 1

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Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible.

Italic text has been marked with _underscores_.

CHRISTMAS IN POETRY

CAROLS AND POEMS

CHOSEN BY A COMMITTEE OF THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

FIRST SERIES

NEW YORK THE H. W. WILSON COMPANY LONDON: GRAFTON & CO. 1922

Printed in the United States of America

CONTENTS

As Joseph Was A-Walking 31 From The Cherry Tree Carol

Boots and Saddles 7 Provençal Noël of Nicholas Saboly

Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella! 29 Provençal Noël of Nicholas Saboly

Carol 34 William Canton

Carol 9 Kenneth Grahame

Carol in Praise of the Holly and Ivy 45 Fifteenth Century Carol

Carol of the Birds 23 Bas-Quercy

Carol of the Russian Children 11 Russian Folk Song

Ceremonies for Christmas 46 Robert Herrick

Child's Present to His Child-Saviour 35 Robert Herrick

Christmas 16 Nahum Tate

Christmas Carol 1 Old English Carol

Christmas Carol 19 Translated from the Neapolitan

Christmas Carol 36 Josiah Gilbert Holland

Christmas Carol 33 Christine G. Rossetti

Christmas Eve 21 John Davidson

Christmas Eve--Another Ceremony 47 Robert Herrick

Christmas Eve--Another Ceremony to the Maids 47 Robert Herrick

Christmas Folksong 30 Lisette Woodworth Reese

Christmas Hymn 14 C. Frances Alexander

Christmas Silence 28 Margaret Deland

Cradle Hymn 32 Martin Luther

From Far Away 2 William Morris

God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen 42 Dinah Maria Mulock

Golden Carol 20 Old Carol

Good King Wenceslas 38 Translated from the Latin by J. M. Neale

Least of Carols 26 Sophie Jewett

Lordings, Listen to Our Lay 4 Old Carol

Nativity Song 27 Sophie Jewett

Neighbors of Bethlehem 10 Thirteenth Century French Carol

Our Joyful Feast 48 George Wither

Shepherd Who Stayed 37 Theodosia Garrison

Shepherds Had an Angel 24 Christina G. Rossetti

Signs of Christmas 12 Edwin Lees

Song of a Shepherd Boy at Bethlehem 25 Josephine Preston Peabody

Story of the Shepherd 17 Translated from the Spanish

'Twas Jolly, Jolly Wat 5 C. W. Stubbs

Wassail Song 43 Old Devonshire Carol

Wassailer's Song 44 Robert Southwell

We Three Kings 40 J. H. Hopkins, jr.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

God bless the master of this house, The mistress also, And all the little children, That round the table go.

And all your kin and folk, That dwell both far and near; I wish you a merry Christmas, And a happy New Year.

_Old English Carol_

FROM FAR AWAY

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. From far away we come to you, To tell of great tidings, strange and true.

For as we wandered far and wide, The snow in the street, and the wind on the door, What hap do you deem there should us betide? Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor.

Under a bent when the night was deep, 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 stay 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.

News of a fair and marvellous thing, The snow in the street, and the wind on the door, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, we sing. Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor. From far away we come to you, To tell of great tidings, strange and true.

_William Morris_

LORDINGS, LISTEN TO OUR LAY

Lordings, listen to our lay-- We have come from far away To seek Christmas; In this mansion we are told He His yearly feast doth hold: 'Tis to-day! May joy come from God above, To all those who Christmas love.

_Old Carol_

'TWAS JOLLY, JOLLY WAT

'Twas jolly, jolly Wat, my foy, He was a goodman's shepherd boy, And he sat by his sheep On the hill-side so steep, And piped this song, Ut hoy! Ut hoy! O merry, merry sing for joy, Ut hoy!

A'down from Heav'n that is so high There came an angel companye, And on Bethlehem hill Thro' the night-tide so still Their song out-rang: On high, On high, O glory be to God on high, On high!

Now must Wat go where Christ is born, Yea, go and come again to-morn. And my pipe it shall play, All my heart it doth say To Shepherd King: Ut hoy! Ut hoy! O merry, merry sing for joy, Ut hoy!

O peace on earth, good will to men, The angels sang again, again, For to you was He born On this Christmas morn, So sing we all: On high, On high, O glory be to God on high, On high!

Jesu my King, it's naught for Thee, A bob of cherries, one, two, three, But my tar-box and ball, And my pipe, I give all To Thee, my King. Ut hoy! Ut hoy! O merry, merry sing for joy, Ut hoy!

Farewell, herd-boy, saith Mary mild. Thanks, jolly Wat, smiled Mary's child, For fit gift for a king Is your heart in the thing. So pipe you well, For joy, for joy! O merry, merry sing for joy, Ut hoy!

_C. W. Stubbs_

BOOTS AND SADDLES

Our shepherds all As pilgrims have departed, Our shepherds all Have gone to Bethlehem. They gladly go For they are all stout-hearted, They gladly go-- Ah, could I go with them!

I am too lame to walk, Boots and saddles, boots and saddles, I am too lame to walk, Boots and saddles, mount and ride.

A shepherd stout Who sang a catamiaulo, A shepherd stout Was walking lazily. He heard me speak And saw me hobbling after, He turned and said He would give help to me.

"Here is my horse That flies along the high-road, Here is my horse, The best in all the towns. I bought him from A soldier in the army, I got my horse By payment of five crowns."

When I have seen The Child, the King of Heaven, When I have seen The Child who is God's son, When to the mother, I my praise have given, When I have finished, All I should have done:

No more shall I be lame, Boots and saddles, boots and saddles, No more shall I be lame, Boots and saddles, mount and ride.

_Provençal Noël of Nicholas Saboly_

_Included by permission of The H. W. Gray Company._

CAROL

Villagers all, this frosty tide, Let your doors swing open wide, Though wind may follow, and snow beside, Yet draw us in by your fire to bide; Joy shall be yours in the morning!

Here we stand in the cold and the sleet, Blowing fingers and stamping feet, Come from far away you to greet-- You by the fire and we in the street-- Bidding you joy in the morning!

For ere one half of the night was gone, Sudden a star has led us on, Raining bliss and benison-- Bliss to-morrow and more anon, Joy for every morning!

Goodman Joseph toiled through the snow-- Saw the star o'er a stable low; Mary she might not further go-- Welcome thatch, and litter below! Joy was hers in the morning!

And then they heard the angels tell "Who were the first to cry NOWELL? Animals all, as it befell, In the stable where they did dwell! Joy shall be theirs in the morning!"

_Kenneth Grahame_

_From "The Wind in the Willows"; Copyright, 1908, by Charles Scribner's Sons. Included by permission of the publishers._

THE NEIGHBORS OF BETHLEHEM

Good neighbor, tell me why that sound, That noisy tumult rising round, Awaking all in slumber lying? Truly disturbing are these cries, All through the quiet village flying, O come ye shepherds, wake, arise!

What, neighbor, then do ye not know God hath appeared on earth below And now is born in manger lowly! In humble guise he came this night, Simple and meek, this infant holy, Yet how divine in beauty bright.

Good neighbor, I must make amend, Forthwith to bring Him will I send, And Joseph with the gentle Mother. When to my home these three I bring, Then will it far outshine all other, A palace fair for greatest king!

_Thirteenth Century French Carol_

_Included by permission of The H. W. Gray Company._

CAROL OF THE RUSSIAN CHILDREN

Snow-bound mountains, snow-bound valleys, Snow-bound plateaus, clad in white, Fur-robed moujiks, fur-robed nobles, Fur-robed children, see the light. Shaggy pony, shaggy oxen, Gentle shepherds wait the light; Little Jesus, little Mother, Good St. Joseph, come this night.

_Russian Folk Song_

_Included by permission of The H. W. Gray Company._

SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS

When on the barn's thatch'd roof is seen The moss in tufts of liveliest green; When Roger to the wood pile goes, And, as he turns, his fingers blows; When all around is cold and drear, Be sure that Christmas-tide is near.

When up the garden walk in vain We seek for Flora's lovely train; When the sweet hawthorn bower is bare, And bleak and cheerless is the air; When all seems desolate around, Christmas advances o'er the ground.

When Tom at eve comes home from plough, And brings the mistletoe's green bough, With milk-white berries spotted o'er, And shakes it the sly maids before, Then hangs the trophy up on high, Be sure that Christmas-tide is nigh.

When Hal, the woodman, in his clogs, Bears home the huge unwieldy logs, That, hissing on the smouldering fire, Flame out at last a quiv'ring spire; When in his hat the holly stands, Old Christmas musters up his bands.

When cluster'd round the fire at night, Old William talks of ghost and sprite, And, as a distant out-house gate Slams by the wind, they fearful wait, While some each shadowy nook explore, Then Christmas pauses at the door.

When Dick comes shiv'ring from the yard, And says the pond is frozen hard, While from his hat, all white with snow, The moisture, trickling, drops below, While carols sound, the night to cheer, Then Christmas and his train are here.

_Edwin Lees_

A CHRISTMAS HYMN

Once in royal David's city Stood a lowly cattle-shed Where a mother laid her Baby, In a manger for His bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, And His cradle was a stall. With the poor, and mean, and lowly Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And through all His wondrous childhood, He would honour and obey. Love and watch the lowly mother In whose gentle arms He lay. Christian children, all must be Mild, obedient, good as He.

For He is our childhood's Pattern, Day by day like us He grew; He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us He knew: And He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love, For that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in Heaven above; And He leads His children on To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by, We shall see Him; but in Heaven, Set at God's right hand on high; When like stars His children crowned, All in white shall wait around.

_C. Frances Alexander_

CHRISTMAS

While shepherds watch'd their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he (for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind); "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.

"To you, in David's town, this day Is born of David's line The Saviour who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign:

"The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view display'd, All meanly wrapt in swathing bands, And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the Seraph; and forthwith Appear'd a shining throng Of angels, praising God, and thus Address'd their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Good-will henceforth from heaven to men Begin, and never cease!"

_Nahum Tate_

THE STORY OF THE SHEPHERD

It was the very noon of night: the stars above the fold, More sure than clock or chiming bell, the hour of midnight told: When from the heav'ns there came a voice, and forms were seen to shine Still bright'ning as the music rose with light and love divine. With love divine, the song began; there shone a light serene: O, who hath heard what I have heard, or seen what I have seen?

O ne'er could nightingale at dawn salute the rising day With sweetness like that bird of song in his immortal lay: O ne'er were woodnotes heard at eve by banks with poplar shade So thrilling as the concert sweet by heav'nly harpings made; For love divine was in each chord, and filled each pause between: O, who hath heard what I have heard, or seen what I have seen?

I roused me at the piercing strain, but shrunk as from the ray Of summer lightning: all around so bright the splendour lay. For oh, it mastered sight and sense, to see that glory shine, To hear that minstrel in the clouds, who sang of Love Divine, To see that form with bird-like wings, of more than mortal mien: O, who hath heard what I have heard, or seen what I have seen?

When once the rapturous trance was past, that so my sense could bind, I left my sheep to Him whose care breathed in the western wind: I left them, for instead of snow, I trod on blade and flower, And ice dissolved in starry rays at morning's gracious hour, Revealing where on earth the steps of Love Divine had been: O, who hath heard what I have heard, or seen what I have seen?

I hasted to a low-roofed shed, for so the Angel bade; And bowed before the lowly rack where Love Divine was laid: A new-born Babe, like tender Lamb, with Lion's strength there smiled; For Lion's strength immortal might, was in that new-born Child; That Love Divine in child-like form had God for ever been: O, who hath heard what I have heard, or seen what I have seen?

_Translated from the Spanish_

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

When Christ was born in Bethlehem, 'Twas night but seemed the noon of day: The star whose light Was pure and bright, Shone with unwav'ring ray; But one bright star, One glorious star Guided the Eastern Magi from afar.

Then peace was spread throughout the land; The lion fed beside the lamb; And with the kid, To pastures led, The spotted leopard fed In peace, in peace The calf and bear, The wolf and lamb reposed together there.

As shepherds watched their flocks by night, An angel brighter than the sun Appeared in air, And gently said, "Fear not, be not afraid, Behold, behold, Beneath your eyes, Earth has become a smiling Paradise."

_Translated from the Neapolitan_

THE GOLDEN CAROL

(_Of Melchior, Balthazar, and Caspar, the Three Kings_)

We saw the light shine out a-far, On Christmas in the morning. And straight we knew Christ's Star it was, Bright beaming in the morning. Then did we fall on bended knee, On Christmas in the morning, And prais'd the Lord, who'd let us see His glory at its dawning.

Oh! every thought be of His Name, On Christmas in the morning, Who bore for us both grief and shame, Afflictions sharpest scorning. And may we die (when death shall come), On Christmas in the morning, And see in heav'n, our glorious home, The Star of Christmas morning.

_Old Carol_

CHRISTMAS EVE

In holly hedges starving birds Silently mourn the setting year; Upright like silver-plated swords The flags stand in the frozen mere.

The mistletoe we still adore Upon the twisted hawthorn grows: In antique gardens hellebore Puts forth its blushing Christmas rose.

Shrivell'd and purple, cheek by jowl, The hips and haws hang drearily; Roll'd in a ball the sulky owl Creeps far into his hollow tree.

In abbeys and cathedrals dim The birth of Christ is acted o'er; The kings of Cologne worship him, Balthazar, Jasper, Melchior.

The shepherds in the field at night Beheld an angel glory-clad. And shrank away with sore afright. "Be not afraid," the angel bade.

"I bring good news to king and clown, To you here crouching on the sward; For there is born in David's town A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

"Behold the babe is swathed, and laid Within a manger." Straight there stood Beside the angel all arrayed A heavenly multitude.

"Glory to God," they sang; "and peace, Good pleasure among men." The wondrous message of release! Glory to God again!

Hush! Hark! the waits, far up the street! A distant, ghostly charm unfolds, Of magic music wild and sweet, Anemones and clarigolds.

_John Davidson_

_From "Fleet Street Eclogues." Included by permission of Dodd, Mead and Company._

CAROL OF THE BIRDS

Whence comes this rush of wings afar. Following straight the Noël star? Birds from the woods in wondrous flight, Bethlehem seek this Holy Night.

"Tell us, ye birds, why come ye here. Into this stable, poor and drear?" "Hast'ning we seek the new-born King, And all our sweetest music bring."

Hark how the green-finch bears his part, Philomel, too, with tender heart, Chants from her leafy dark retreat Re, mi, fa, sol, in accents sweet.

Angels and shepherds, birds of the sky, Come where the Son of God doth lie; Christ on the earth with man doth dwell. Join in the shout, Noël, Noël.

_Bas-Quercy_

THE SHEPHERDS HAD AN ANGEL

The shepherds had an angel, The wise men had a star; But what have I, a little child, To guide me home from far, Where glad stars sing together, And singing angels are?

Lord Jesus is my Guardian, So I can nothing lack; The lambs lie in His bosom Along life's dangerous track: The wilful lambs that go astray He, bleeding, brings them back.

Those shepherds thro' the lonely night Sat watching by their sheep, Until they saw the heav'nly host Who neither tire nor sleep, All singing Glory, glory, In festival they keep.

Christ watches me, His little lamb, Cares for me day and night, That I may be His own in heav'n; So angels clad in white Shall sing their Glory, glory, For my sake in the height.

Lord, bring me nearer day by day, Till I my voice unite, And sing my Glory, glory, With angels clad in white. All Glory, glory, giv'n to Thee, Thro' all the heav'nly height.

_Christina G. Rossetti_

SONG OF A SHEPHERD BOY AT BETHLEHEM

Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary, Rest Thee now. Though these hands be rough from shearing And the plow, Yet they shall not ever fail Thee, When the waiting nations hail Thee, Bringing palms unto their King. Now--I sing.

Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary, Hope divine. If Thou wilt but smile upon me, I will twine Blossoms for Thy garlanding. Thou'rt so little to be King, God's Desire! Not a brier Shall be left to grieve Thy brow; Rest Thee now.

Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary, Some fair day Wilt Thou, as Thou wert a brother, Come away Over hills and over hollow? All the lambs will up and follow. Follow but for love of Thee. Lov'st Thou me?

Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary, Rest Thee now. I that watch am come from sheep-stead And from plough. Thou wilt have disdain of me When Thou'rt lifted, royally, Very high for all to see: Smilest Thou?

_Josephine Preston Peabody_

_Included by permission of the author._

THE LEAST OF CAROLS

Loveliest dawn of gold and rose Steals across undrifted snows; In brown, rustling oak leaves stir Squirrel, nuthatch, woodpecker; Brief their matins, but, by noon, All the sunny wood's a-tune: Jays, forgetting their harsh cries, Pipe a spring note, clear and true; Wheel on angel wings of blue, Trumpeters of Paradise; Then the tiniest feathered thing, All a-flutter, tail and wing, Gives himself to caroling:

"Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee! Jesulino, hail to thee! Lowliest baby born to-day, Pillowed on a wisp of hay; King no less of sky and earth, And singing sea; Jesu! Jesu! most and least! For the sweetness of thy birth Every little bird and beast, Wind and wave and forest tree, Praises God exceedingly, Exceedingly."

_Sophie Jewett_

_From "The Poems of Sophie Jewett." Included by permission of the Thomas Y. Crowell Company._

NATIVITY SONG

The beautiful mother is bending Low where her baby lies, Helpless and frail, for her tending; But she knows the glorious eyes.