Ex Lihris 
 ::. K. OGDEN 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 SONGS OF THE NATIVITY.
 
 ^ongs of t\)t Jtatibit^ ; 
 
 BEING CHRISTMAS CAROLS, 
 ANCIENT AND MODEEN. 
 
 SEVERAL OF WHICH APPEAR FOR THE FIRST TOIE 
 IN A COLLECTION. 
 
 EDITED, WITH NOTES, BY 
 
 WILLIAM HENRY HUSK, 
 
 LIBRAPaAN TO THE SACKED HAR310NIC 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 s^P 
 
 is^ 
 
 ^(g^^^^ 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 JOHN CAMDEN HOTTEN, 
 74, PICCADILLY.
 
 cniswicK PRESS : — printed by whittingham and wilkins, 
 
 TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 HRISTMAS !— "VMiat a multitude of associations 
 
 crowd into the mind at the mere sight or mention 
 
 of that word ! In imagination we are transported to 
 
 the stable in Bethlehem, and see the Virgin Mother 
 
 clasping to her breast the Infant Saviour, whilst closer and closer 
 
 towards the cattle creeps she, in hopes of receiving warmth from 
 
 their breaths ; for, notwithstanding what geographers tell us of 
 
 the perennial mildness of the climate of Judea, we cannot shake 
 
 off the belief that 
 
 " It was the winter wild, 
 While the Heaven-born child, 
 
 All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies." 
 
 We behold the shepherds in the field, watching their flocks by 
 night — we gaze upon the Angelic vision — we listen to the " good 
 tidings of great joy," and are raised to ecstacy by the celestial 
 chorus— the first Christmas carol, as Bishop Jeremy Taylor 
 appropriately styled it, — " Glory to God in the highest, and on 
 earth peace, good will toward men." Our thoughts turn next 
 to the star-led Magi and their oflerings to the Holy Child — a 
 feeling of horror overcomes us as we think of the fearful outcry 
 in Bethlehem, the moans of slaughtered Innocents, and the wail- 
 
 -.-yi^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 A r\r\^^r\ rz O
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ings of bereaved mothers weeping for their children, and refusing 
 to he comforted because they wei^e not, minghng with the savage 
 exclamations of the ferocious soldiery, the instruments of the 
 brutal Herod's cruelty ; — but we breathe freely again when we 
 consider that the bloodshed was in vain ; — that the tyrant's ends 
 were frustrated, and the Holy Family safe in Egypt. 
 
 How many quaint and curious legendary notions — supersti- 
 tions if you will, but harmless enough in themselves, and fre- 
 quently of most poetic beauty, — obtained credence with our fore- 
 fathers in connection with the holy time of celebrating the Nati- 
 vity ! It was believed in the western parts of Devonshire " that at 
 twelve o'clock at night on Christmas Eve the oxen in their stalls 
 wci-e always found on their knees as in an attitude of devotion." 
 Bees were believed to sing in their hives at the same time, and 
 bread baked on Christmas Eve never turned mouldy. In an old 
 print (at the head of a sheet of carols published in 1701) repre- 
 senting the stable at Bethlehem with the Holy Family, figures of 
 an ox, a cow, a sheep, a raven, and a cock are introduced, having 
 labels with Latin inscriptions in their mouths, which are thus 
 explained : — " The cock croweth, Christus naius est (Christ is 
 boin) ; the raven asketh, Quando ? (When ?) ; the cow replieth, 
 Ilac node (This night) ; the ox crieth out, Uln ? uhi ? (Where ? 
 where?) ; the sheep bleatcth out, Beildehem."^ 
 
 The crowing of the cock at the approach and break of day has 
 supplied the groundwork of many an old-world fable. It was said 
 that it was about the time of cock-crowing when our Saviour was 
 born ; and it was also about that time when He rose from the 
 dead. The spirits of the depai-ted were supposed to possess the 
 power of revisiting the earth during the hours of darkness, but 
 tf» be compelled to retire at cock-crow. Tlis belief is thus ex-
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 pressed bj the mighty master of the human heart, Shak- 
 
 spere : — 
 
 " I have heard, 
 The cock, that is the trumpet to the mom. 
 Doth with his lofty and shrill sounding throat 
 Awake the god of day ; and at his warning 
 The extravagant and erring spirit hies 
 To his confine." 
 
 And then, ia a strain of the loftiest poetry, he proceeds to 
 make us acquainted with a piece of folk-lore so singularly beau- 
 tiful that we almost feel it difficult to refuse it our belief: — 
 
 " Some say, that ever 'gainst that season comes 
 Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, 
 The bird of dawning singeth all night long ; 
 And then, they say, no spirit can walk abroad ; 
 The nights are wholesome ; then no planets strike. 
 No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm. 
 So hallowed and so gracious is the time." 
 
 Of the superstitions connected with, and the customs peculiar 
 to, Christmas, a volume might easily be written. To attempt to 
 describe them here would be in vain ; we must therefore be con- 
 tent with a few passing notices of some of them, more particu- 
 larly those which either have within our own time grown, or are 
 fast growing, into disuse. 
 
 Concerning Christmas customs as existing in feudal times, we 
 are fortunate in possessing a most graphic description from the 
 pen of one whose admiration of the brighter side of the feudal 
 system with its picturesque and striking features was very great. 
 It embodies in a brief space so many of the customs of the times 
 that, notwithstanding its familiaritj-, we cannot forbear again 
 quoting it : —
 
 m 
 
 " Domestic and religious rite 
 Gave honour to the holy night. 
 On Christmas Eve the bells were rung ; 
 On Christmas Eve the mass was sung ; 
 That only night, in all the year, 
 Saw the stolecl priest the chalice rear 5 
 The damsel donned her kirtle sheen ; 
 The hall was dressed with holly green 5 
 Forth to the wood did merry men go, 
 To gather in the mistletoe. 
 Then opened wide the baron's hall 
 To vassal, tenant, serf, and all ; 
 Power laid his rod of rule aside, 
 And ceremony doff 'd his pride. 
 The heir, with roses in his shoes. 
 That night might village partner choose. 
 The lord, imderogating, share 
 The vulgar game of " post and pair." 
 All hailed with uncontroll'd delight 
 And general voice, the happy night 
 That to the cottage, as the crown, 
 Brought tidings of salvation down. 
 The fire with well dried logs supplied. 
 Went roaring up the chimney wide ; 
 The huge hall table's oaken face, 
 Scrubb'd till it shone, the day to grace. 
 Bore then upon its massive board 
 No mark to part the squire and lord. 
 Then was brought in the lusty brawn. 
 By old, blue-coated serving-man ; 
 Then the grim boar's head frowned on high, 
 Crested with bays and rosemary. 
 Well can the grecn-garb'd ranger tell, 
 How, when, and where, the monster fell ; 
 What dogs before his death he tore, 
 And all the baiting of the boar. 
 The wassail round in good brown bowls,
 
 Garnished with ribbon, blithely trowls. 
 
 There the huge sirloin reek'd : hard by 
 
 Plum-porridge stood, and Christmas pie ; 
 
 Nor failed old Scotland to produce 
 
 At such high tide her savoury goose. 
 
 Then came the merry masquers in, 
 
 And carols roar'd with blithesome din ; 
 
 If unmelodious was the song, 
 
 It was a hearty note, and strong. 
 
 Who lists may in their mumming see 
 
 Traces of ancient mystery; 
 
 White shirts supplied the masquerade, 
 
 And smutted cheeks the visor made ; 
 
 But oh ! what masquers, richly dight. 
 
 Can boast of bosoms half so light ! 
 
 England was merry England when 
 
 Old Christmas brought his sports again. 
 
 'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale, 
 
 'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale ; 
 
 A Christmas gambol oft would cheer 
 
 A poor man's heart through half the year.''* 
 
 Whose heart has not bounded with delight on seeing a group 
 of children, newly released from the trammels of the school, re- 
 turning home to enjoy their Christmas holiday ? Listen to the 
 eagerness and the earnestness and glee with which the boys in- 
 dulge in anticipations of the various pleasures to come ; — the 
 plum-puddings to be made of imusual dimensions, — the new bats 
 and balls or other toys, — the gaily coloured prints adorning the 
 Christmas volumes, — the pantomimes they hope to see — ay, the 
 pantomimes ! And here comes one of the Christmas customs 
 which have in our own time flourished in their greatest vigour, 
 and yet seem hastening to decay. Many of us remember the 
 
 • Scott's Marmion,
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 R\ 
 
 lif^-ti^ 
 
 time — it is not so very far distant — when no London theatrical 
 manager ever dreamed of opening his doors at Christmas without 
 placing before his visitoi's " a new grand comic Christmas panto- 
 mime, which has been in pi'eparation all the summer." And 
 then the joy of the children as they witnessed the representation. 
 Leigh Hunt, in one of his pleasant papers, says of holiday chil- 
 dren : — " But oh, the raptiu-e when the pantomime commences ! 
 Eeady to leap out of the box, they joy in the mischief of the clown, 
 laugh at the thwacks he gets for his meddling, and feel no small 
 portion of contempt for his ignorance in not knowing that hot 
 water wiU scald and gunpowder explode ; whilst with head aside to 
 give fresh energy to the strokes, they ring their little palms against 
 each other in testimony of exuberant delight." The clown is 
 indeed the boys' prime source of enjoyment in a pantomime — 
 the little girls, as their " bringings-up" may have been in the 
 open and honest, or in the straight-laced, school, differ in their 
 estimation of the clown as being very comical, or as dreadfully 
 vulgar, and they either smile or look grave accordingly — but the 
 boys never mince the matter ; they give unrestrained utterance to 
 their gratification. The late Alfred Bunn, in his entertaining 
 work on the Stage, expresses well the feelings which the remem- 
 brance of such boyish enjoyments awakes in later life. '' Our 
 recollections of, and associations with, Christmas," says he, " and 
 consequently, of and with Grimaldi, are amongst the earliest and 
 happiest of our thoughts. We can never forget our bui-st of 
 enjoyment on catching the first accents of that many -toned voice, 
 and the first glimpse of that party-coloured face, when, year after 
 year, we have squeezed into any part of the theatre his attraction 
 had left standing room in. Has there been any social happiness 
 of after days the memory of which can impart such true delight,
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 as a recurrence to those green and bright hours of life's un- 
 clouded boyhood ?" All living Avho can remember the London 
 theatres during the first twenty years or so of the present cen- 
 tury agi-ee in bearing testimony to the wonderful powers of Gri- 
 maldi as Clown. Those who recollect him are reluctant to admit 
 that any of his successors had any merit ; but we cannot refuse 
 our meed of approbation to the talents of Paulo, Tom Matthews, 
 and Flexmore, each in his way an artist. It would be unfair too 
 to pass over the name of the greatest of living clowns, Charles 
 Leclerque, whose dry, quaint humour, and " mute eloquence" are 
 in om- opinion unrivalled. But, great as are his abiUties, he has 
 latterly had but small chance of displa^nng them, seeing that at 
 the theatre to which he has been principally attached pantomime 
 has lately been made, as at the majority of our theatres, to give 
 way to that species of extravaganza, miscalled burlesque, in 
 which wit and humour are dispensed with, and the greatest am- 
 bition of the author appears to be to display his skill in the dis- 
 tortion in every possible manner of the English vocabulary, and 
 the manufactory of some such funny saj-iug as that " a Christmas 
 carol will make old Care Jioivl." Let us, however, yet hope that 
 the reign of such duU and senseless absurdities is nearly at an 
 end, and that the taste for the good old-fashioned laughter-pro- 
 voking pantomime will soon revive, for we cannot believe that it 
 is really defunct. There are still some managers who cUng to 
 pantomime, and their crowded houses for weeks after Christmas 
 are sufficient to show that a large portion of the public still pre- 
 fers the old Christmas fare. Long may their houses continue 
 crowded ; and let those who can enjoy the artless, unrestrained 
 mirth of children, attend a morning performance of a pantomime 
 — one of the happiest of modern theatrical ideas — and listen to
 
 /r 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 the joyous, ringing laughter of the merry urchins who on such 
 occasions form the vast majority of the auditory. 
 
 Another Christmas custom fast approaching to extinction is 
 that of giving Christmas-boxes. Formei'ly nearly every person 
 who had, or was supposed to have, rendered services to another 
 during the year, looked for a gratuity at Christmas, and in many 
 cases it was regarded almost as a right. Domestic servants in 
 this way levied contributions on the tradesmen who supplied 
 their masters ; bankers' clerks received donations from the cus- 
 tomers ; the clerks and managers of retail traders expected pre- 
 sents from the wholesale dealers, and some even went so far as to 
 convey more than a gentle hint when the proffered gift was of 
 less value than what they conceived themselves " entitled to." 
 Every householder was duly waited on by the postmen (general 
 and twopenny — as the local postmen were called, from the rate of 
 postage charged for the conveyance of letters fi'om one part of 
 the town to another, ere the universal penny post system was es- 
 tablished) ; the lamplighter, the waits, the turncock, the parish 
 beadle, the dustman, the parish watchman (prior to the intro- 
 duction of the present system of police), and others. A practice 
 existed of tallow-chandlers distributing to the childi'cn of their 
 customers, on their applying for them, tiny coloured candles in 
 miniature candlesticks made of bright tin, and it was an amus- 
 ing sight, as you passed a tallow-chandler's shop on " Boxing- 
 day," to see the crowd of eager urchins, many of whom, like 
 some of their elders, were ready enough to prefer claims having 
 no just foundation, besieging the door, and only prevented from 
 making a forcible entry, en masse, into the shop, by the presence 
 of a shopman armed with a long whip. The contcTitions for pre- 
 cedence, the struggles to get nearest the door, the envious looks
 
 INTBODUOTION. 
 
 with which some fortunate recipient of the coveted gift was re- 
 garded by his unsuccessful rivals, and other incidents proving the 
 truth of the saying that " the boy is father to the man" were per- 
 haps as instructive as amusing. " A heavy blow and great dis- 
 couragement" to the custom of Christmas-boxing amongst trades- 
 men has been given by the growing practice of keeping the shops 
 closed on Boxing-day. Amongst the few pei'sons who still adhere 
 to the old custom are the postmen ; and on no one is the gratuity 
 more readily and cheerfully bestowed than on these most useful, 
 hardworked, and underpaid pubhc servants. The dustmen still in 
 many places ask the accustomed benevolence in a most original 
 style. As Christmas draws nigh they cUstribute a hand-bill pre- 
 feri'ing their petition. Here is a copy of one of the last year 
 cii'culated in one of the wealthiest metropolitan parishes : — 
 
 " To the Worthy Inhabitants of St. George's, Westminster. 
 
 " Ladies and Gentlemen, — W^e, the regular Dustmen of this 
 Parish, in the employ of John Baldwin & Co. make humble ap- 
 phcation to you for a Cheistmas Box, which you are usually 
 so kind in giving. We bring our token, which consists of a 
 handsome and antique Silver Medal, commemorating the peace 
 of Luneville, when the combined forces fought against the great 
 Napoleon in Belgium. The figures represent ' Peace,' with her 
 olive branch and horn of plenty, leading ' Industry,' who is seated 
 on her car, di'awn by two lions ; the inscription is — ' Stets Leite 
 sie Friede,' signifying — Lead her always in Peace. Dated — 
 Luneville, D. 9 Februar, 1801. On the reverse side is the figure 
 of a man half reclining, as though awoke fiom slumber, hold- 
 ing a reed in one hand, the other extended appealingly to the 
 heavens ; inscription — ' Wann tagts auch hier,' signifymg — 
 
 ^ 
 
 ci\ 
 
 's^
 
 IMUWDUCTION. 
 
 When breaks tlie daylight here. At the bottom is the name 
 Abramson. No connexion with Scavengers. 
 
 " Cheistopher Majoh. James Oliver, 
 
 " Cantion. — There being persons who go about with the intent 
 to defraud us, aiid impose on you, be so kind as not to give your 
 bounty to any person who cannot produce a Medal as above. 
 Please not to return this bill." 
 
 One is puzzled which to admire most in this production ; — the 
 elaborate description of the " antique " medal, (which, we sup- 
 pose, must be in some way or another, although perhaps remotely, 
 connected with tlie dustman's vocation, although our limited 
 capacity does not permit us to perceive it), or the simplicity and 
 candour which shows us that the offence of " defrauding us" is in 
 the writer's mind a graver one than that of '' imposing on you." 
 
 Another functionaiy, who still expects his " Christmas-box," 
 is tlie Parish-beadle, who, in the exercise of his duty, has to 
 distribute amongst the inhabitants about Christmastide a broad 
 sheet containing a list of the parish officers for the year, Avith 
 otiier information, and who at the same time leaves on his own 
 account another bioadside containing "A copy of Verses for 
 18 — ! humbly presented to all my worthy Masters and Mistresses 
 
 in the Parish of St. , , by , 
 
 , Beadle and Bellman." This sheet is surrounded by 
 
 woodcuts ; that at the top representing the " Beadle and Bell- 
 man" accompanied by watchmen or others, and the remainder 
 generally representing various incidents in the life of our 
 Saviour. The verses are usually on the Nativity, and other 
 festivals occurring at Christmastide ; addresses " to my JMasters 
 and Mistresses," ** the Young Men," '' the Young ]\Iaidens,"
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 and the like, with, occasionally, one on some unusual occurrence 
 within the expiring year. The following lines which a newly- 
 appointed Beadle thought fit [in 1834] to insert in memory of 
 his predecessor afford a fair sample of the "poetry" of these 
 worthies : — 
 
 " ON THE LATE BEADLE. 
 
 " Since our good friend is gone to rest 
 
 Within the silent grave ; 
 We hope his soul is 'mongst the blest, — 
 
 Let fruitless sorrows waive." 
 
 The custom of distributing these verses is a very old one, and 
 one printing office, — that of Messrs. Eeynell, formerly of Picca- 
 dilly, and now of Little Pulteney-street — has continuously en- 
 joyed the distinction of printing for many of the Loudon beadles 
 since the year 1735. Why the metropolitan "Bumbles" 
 are so constant in their patronage of this establishment we know 
 not. Can it be that they find a poet as \vell as a typographer 
 on the premises ? 
 
 The custom of the company assembled to celebi-ate Twelfth- 
 night supporting assumed chai'acters seems, judging from the 
 absence from the pastrycooks' windows of the sheets on which 
 the coloured representations of such characters were printed, to 
 have passed away. The selection, by lot, of a king and queen 
 to preside over the Twelfth-night festivities is very ancient, and 
 the addition of other characters generally representing the cour- 
 tiers, though not unfrequently others, and often the chief per- 
 sonages of some popular comedy, dates back at least tAvo centu- 
 ries. The names of these characters were written on slips of 
 paper which were put into the cake. In 1G69 this practice was 
 abandoned, and the names were drawn from a hat. Towards 
 
 r?
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 the latter end of the last century pictorial representations of the 
 characters were introduced. These were of the invention of John 
 Britton, the topographer and antiquary, and some of the earliest 
 of them were drawn and engraved by the elder Cruikshank. It 
 is not unlikely that the latter's son, the admirable artist, George 
 Cruikshank, still amongst us, may have witnessed, during his 
 long life, the rise, general prevalence, gradual decay, and per- 
 haps total extinction of the custom of using these character- 
 pictures. 
 
 What school-boy of the present day knows anything of 
 Christmas-pieces? We mean not pantomimes, extrava- 
 ganzas, or any other species of theatrical entci-tainment, but 
 specimens of handwriting which were carefullj' prepared under 
 the superintendence of the writing-master, in all schools imme- 
 diately before the breaking-up for the Christmas vacation, in 
 order to manifest to the " parents and guardians" the improve- 
 ment made during the 3-ear by the pupils in the caligTaphic art. 
 These " pieces " were on large sheets of writing paper of the 
 size known as " imperial," spread open. They were bordered 
 by engravings, the space m the centre being reserved for the 
 writing. A very extensive collection of " pieces," comprising an 
 almost unbroken series from the year 1720 until about 1840, lies 
 before the writer at tlie time of writing. The engravings, which 
 in the earlier pieces are of considerable merit, but which became 
 by degrees poorer and poorer, consist of representations of some 
 impoi'tant event which had happened during the year, such as 
 battles by land or sea, the earthquake at Lisbon, the coronation 
 of George III, and the like ; or scenes illustrating " Eural 
 sports," " Summer diversions,"' " Bartholomew fair," JMilitary 
 exercises, tkc. Scrijiturc subjects were sometimes (although by
 
 no means fi-equentl}') introduced. About 1805 the practice of 
 colouring the engravings commenced and slowly gained ground 
 until about 1820, when it became universal. From about the 
 latter date, too, the engravings were almost exclusively confined 
 to Scripture subjects. From the period of the introduction of 
 colour the engravings rapidly deteriorated, passing from a re- 
 spectable kind of copper-plate, through various phases of outlines? 
 serving merely as a guide to the colourist, until they terminated 
 in wood-cuts of the coarsest and commonest description. For 
 many years prior to their ceasing to be published, the use of these 
 Christmas pieces had been discontinued in respectable schools on 
 account of an objectionable pi'actice which prevailed of the boys 
 in the parochial schools and lower class of private schools going 
 about from house to house exhibiting their pieces as a means of 
 obtaining " Christmas-boxes." Formerly the writing of " pieces" 
 was not confined to Christmas, but was also used in some schools 
 at Whitsuntide. 
 
 We have yet to speak of one other departing Christmas cus- 
 tom — that of singing Carols. Although once so universally 
 prevalent thi-oughout the entire length and breadth of the land 
 as to warrant the assumption that it was permanently rooted in 
 the habits of the people, this interesting custom has been for a 
 long time on the wane. Fifty years ago carols were beginning 
 " to be spoken of as not belonging to this century ;" — thirty years 
 back they were said to be " still sung during the festive season 
 in many" parts of the country, though now seldom heard in the 
 metropolis." This latter is perhaps to some extent still the case. 
 Generally speaking, however, it may be said that the printers of 
 sheet carols resident in London, who formerly supphed a consi- 
 derable number of country dealers, now issue but few carols at
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Christmas-tide ; and the country printers, although the sheets 
 published by them as collections of carols contain a much larger 
 number of pieces than those put forth by their metropolitan 
 brethren, find the taste of their customers rather incline towards 
 hymns, mostly those in use amongst dissenting congregations, 
 than to the genuine Christmas carol, and they suit them accord- 
 ingly. Such carols as are still printed by these popular typo- 
 graphers and publishers are mentioned in the notes on the fol- 
 lowing collection. The old festive carol seems to have grown 
 into almost total neglect. A certain section of the clergy, anxious 
 for the conservation of old customs, jjarticularly of those asso- 
 ciated with the great Church festivals, have occasionally, during 
 the last twenty or thirty 3-ears, made attempts to revive a taste 
 for the use of Christmas carols amongst their parishioners. But 
 their eiforts have been too intermittent and spasmodic to pi'o- 
 duce any successful result, and they seem also to have forgotten 
 that no custom can be either established, sustained, or revived by 
 the mere desire of persons in authority. Unless the fi-ee sponta- 
 neous wish of the people shall concur to give it vitality, it will soon 
 droop and die. The practice of carol-singing, however, may yet 
 revive. ]Many amongst us remember, more than forty yeai's 
 since, a popular song, entitled, " The Good old days of Adam 
 and Eve," in whicli the singer recalled to memory many things 
 then passed away, amongst them the time 
 
 " When Christmas had its Christmas carols. 
 And ladies' sides were hooped hke barrels." 
 
 As we have seen the latter custom return and maintain itself for 
 several years, we may alsd live to see the former resume all its 
 pristine vigour. 
 
 Perhaps the greatest characteristic of Christmas Day at pre-
 
 INTRODUCTION, 
 
 sent is the very general custom of regarding it as a domestic 
 and family festival. The thoughts of men seem to turn on that 
 day more especially towards home and kindred, and members of 
 families who have during the rest of the year been scattered 
 assemble together at the table of the head of the family. Chil- 
 di-en, joyous children, fresh from school, form a part, by no 
 means the least interesting, of the happy circle, which is perhaps 
 completed by the addition of some old and valued friend, it may 
 be the school companion of the host or hostess. Although many 
 of the old sports and pastimes, once inseparable from such a 
 Christmas party, may be no longer resorted to, nor many of the 
 old Christmas customs observed, yet there is no lack of cheer- 
 fulness and even merriment ; and one of the chief sources of 
 amusement is the telling, hearing, or reading of the Christmas 
 manners, habits, and customs of bygone times. 
 
 It is hoped, therefore, that it may not be deemed presumptuous 
 to suppose that the present volume will be not unwelcome to such 
 a circle of readers and listeners. 
 
 It has been compiled — not for the purpose of forming a com- 
 plete and exhaustive collection of Christmas carols; for that 
 would not only have swollen it to unwieldy dimensions, but 
 liave necessitated the introduction of numerous pieces of very in- 
 ferior character, but — in order, by placing before the reader a 
 selection of all the choicest productions of the kind, both ancient 
 and modern, to show what Christmas carols were and are. The ma- 
 terials for it have been drawn from the most extensive and varied 
 sources ; ancient manuscripts, early printed books, rare musical 
 works, old almanacs, and, in no small degree, the common broad- 
 sides, those remarkable productions of the cheap printing press, 
 which have been the means of preserving to us no inconsiderable
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 (pi 
 
 r>;^ 
 
 number of the pieces still extant in tliis particular walk of litera- 
 ture. 
 
 The carols here given were produced at various times extend- 
 ing over a period of nearly five hundred years. Care has been 
 taken in selecting them to observe impartiality between the old and 
 the new ; — the productions of the remote past, and those of times 
 nearer to our own, — so that the book shall present a fair speci- 
 men of both without exhibiting an undue preference for either. 
 Many of the pieces, and some of them not the least in point of 
 literary merit, are introduced into a collection of carols for the 
 first time ; others, which have already appeared in collections, 
 have been collated with, and corrected by, the original or other 
 early printed copies. The spelling of the older carols has been 
 modernised, but no other material alteration made. The carols 
 are arranged under two heads. Religious Carols, including all 
 those of a legendary character, as well as those relating to Scrip- 
 turally recorded events, and Festive Carols and Songs, compris- 
 ing productions of a more secular kind. 
 
 In conclusion, the Editor ventures to express a hope that the 
 volume may find favour in the sight of his fellow-countrymen 
 and country-women, and contribute in some degree to their en- 
 joyment of " A MERKiE Christmas." 
 
 W. H. H. 
 
 r-.. 
 '^^/;^
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROLS. 
 
 PART I. 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " His place of birth, a solemn Angel tells 
 To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night ; 
 They gladly thither haste, and by a quire 
 Of squadron'd Angels hear His carol sung." 
 
 Milton. 
 
 Jc 
 
 ^< 
 
 W^^ 

 
 A CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS EVE. 
 
 This seems peculiar to the West-country. It was printer! by Davies 
 Gilbert in his collection of " Ancient Christmas Carols, with the tunes to 
 which they were formerly sung in the West of England ;" first published 
 in 1822. The carols in that collection, Mr. Gilbert says, were chanted 
 in churches on Christmas day, and in private houses on Christmas eve, 
 throughout the West of England, up to the latter part of the late 
 century. He adds : " Christmas Day, like every other great festival 
 has prefixed to it in the Calendar a Vigil or Fast ; and in Catholic 
 countries Mass is still celebrated at midnight after Christmas Eve, when 
 austerities cease, and rejoicings of all kinds succeed. Shadows of these 
 customs were, till very lately, preserved in the Protestant West of Eng- 
 land. The day of Christmas Eve was passed in an ordinary manner ; 
 but at seven or eight o'clock in the evening cakes were drawn hot from 
 the oven ; cyder or beer exhilarated the spirits in every house ; and the 
 singing of carols was continued late into the night. On Christmas Day 
 these carols took the place of psalms in all the Churches, especially at 
 afternoon service, the whole congregation joining ; and at the end it was 
 usual for the parish clerk to declare, in a loud voice, his wishes for a 
 merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all the parishioners." Rude 
 though it be, the simplicity and earnestness of this carol render it very 
 characteristic and pleasing. 
 
 HE Lord at fii'st did Adam make 
 Out of the dust and clay, 
 And in liis nostrils breathed life, 
 E'en as the Scriptures say. 
 And then in Eden's Paradise 
 He placed him to dwell,
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 That he within it should remain 
 To dress and keep it well. 
 
 Now let good Christians all begin 
 
 An holy life to Uve, 
 And to rejoice and merry be, 
 For this is Christmas Eve. 
 
 And then within the garden he 
 
 Commanded was to stay, 
 And unto him in commandment 
 
 These words the Lord did say : 
 " The fruit which 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 Christians, «fec. 
 
 " For in the day that thou shalt eat, 
 
 Or do it then come nigh ; 
 For if that thou doth eat thereof 
 
 Then surely thou shalt die." 
 But Adam he did take no heed 
 
 Unto that only thing, 
 But did transgress God's holy law, 
 
 And so was wrapt in sin. 
 
 Now let good Christians, &c. 
 
 Now mark the goodness of the Lord 
 AVhich He for mankind bore ; 
 
 His mercy soon lie did extend, 
 Lost man for to restore ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 And then for to redeem our souls 
 From death and hellish thrall, 
 
 He said His own dear Sou should be 
 The Saviour of us all. 
 
 Kow let good Chi'istians, <fcc. 
 
 Which promise now is brought to pass, 
 
 Christians, believe it well ; 
 And by the coming of God's dear Son 
 
 "We are redeemed from thrall. 
 Then if we truly do believe. 
 
 And do the thing aright ; 
 Then by His merits we at last 
 
 Shall live in heaven bright. 
 
 Now let good Christians, &c. 
 
 Now for the blessings we enjoy. 
 
 Which are fi-om heaven above, 
 Let us renoimce all wickedness 
 
 And live in perfect love. 
 Then shall we do Christ's own command, 
 
 Ev'n His own %vi-itten word ; 
 And when we die in heaven shall 
 
 Enjoy om' lidng Lord. 
 
 Now let good Christians, <fec. 
 
 And now the tide is nigh at hand 
 
 In which our Sa\'iour came ; 
 Let us rejoice and merry be 
 
 In keeping of the same.
 
 ^ x^Jfln 
 
 ^'^^^M^ 
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Let's feed the poor and hungry souls 
 
 And such as do it ci-ave ; 
 Then when we die in heaven sure 
 
 Our reward we shall have. 
 
 Now let good Christians all begin 
 
 An holy life to live. 
 And to rejoice and merry be, 
 
 For this is Christmas Eve. 
 
 WELCOME, YULE. 
 
 (^ 
 
 Yule, it is almost needless to observe, is the Anglo-Saxon name for 
 Christmas. This carol is found in a manuscript of the time of Henry VI. 
 preserved in the British Museum, but there is no doubt that the compo- 
 sition is of much earb'er date. 
 
 The enumeration of the various festivals which occur dui-ing the period 
 of Yule-tide, which lasted until Candlemas day, is found in other carols 
 beside the present. Thomas the Martyr mentioned in the second stanza 
 was Thomas a Becket, or, as he was more commonly styled, St. Thomas 
 of Canterbury, whose festival was celebrated on the 29th of December. 
 
 Welcome, Yule, thou merry man 
 In worship of this holy day. 
 
 ELCOME be thou heaven's King ; 
 Welcome, born in one morning, 
 Welcome, for whom we shall sing 
 Welcome, Yule.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Welcome be ye, Steplien and John, 
 Welcome, Innocents every one, 
 Welcome, Thomas, Martyi* one, 
 Welcome, Yule. 
 
 €^- 
 
 Welcome be ye, good New Year, 
 Welcome, Twelfth day both in fere,* 
 Welcome, Saints loved and dear. 
 Welcome, Yule. 
 
 Welcome be ye, Candlemass, 
 Welcome be ye. Queen of Bliss, 
 Welcome both to more and less,^ 
 Welcome, Yule. 
 
 Welcome be ye that are here. 
 Welcome, all, and make good cheer, 
 Welcome aU, another year. 
 
 Welcome, Yule. 
 
 • Company. 
 
 2 Great and small. 
 
 if^ 
 
 ^
 
 A YULE-TIDE CAROL. 
 
 This carol is contained in the same valuable manuscript as the preceding. 
 Like that it enumerates, but with more particularity, the various festivals 
 celebrated during Yule-tide. There is another copy, slightly differing 
 from the present, in a manuscript of the same age, which was edited by 
 Mr. Thomas Wright for the Percy Society in 1847 ; and in which the 
 stanza relating to St. Thomas of Canterbury, Mr. Wright tells us, has 
 been blotted out by a later hand. This is not a singular instance of such 
 disfigurement of books containing passages in which " the holy blissful 
 martyr," as Chaucer terms him, was favourably mentioned. That the 
 memory of Thomas a Beckefc, the sturdy assertor of the supremacy of the 
 spiritual over the temporal power, should be obnoxious to that quondam 
 " Defender of the Faith," Henry VIII, was not unnatural, and it is not 
 surprising he should have used the most persevering efforts to extirpate 
 the reverence in which the people had for ages held the murdered Arch- 
 bishop, and which had made his shrine at Canterbury the most fre- 
 quented place of pilgrimage in England. There are still extant many 
 missals and other service books in which the pen has been unsparingly 
 used, not merely in obliterating the name of " St. Thomas of Canter- 
 bury " from the calendar, but in blotting out the entire office appointed 
 for his feast day. 
 
 Make we mirth 
 
 For Christ His birth. 
 
 And sing we Yule till Candlemas. 
 
 HE first day of Yule we have in iiiiiul 
 How man was born all of our kind, 
 For He would the bonds luibind 
 Of all our sin and wickedness.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 The second day we ?ing of Stephen 
 That stoned was, and said up even 
 With Christ there he would stand in heaven, 
 And crowned was for his prowess. 
 
 The third day 'longs to St. John, 
 That was Christ's darling, dearest one. 
 To whom He took, when He should gone, 
 His dear mother for his cleanness. 
 
 The fourth day of the Children young 
 With Herod's wi-ath to death were throng, 
 Of Christ they could not speak with tongue. 
 But with their blood bare witness. 
 
 
 The fifth day hallowed St. Thomas, 
 Right as strong as pillar of brass, 
 Held up his church and slain was, 
 
 For he stood fast in righteousness. 
 
 The eighth day took Jesu His name. 
 That saved mankind from sin and shame. 
 And circumcised was for no blame, 
 But for example of meekness. 
 
 The twelfth day offered to Him Kings three, 
 Gold, myrrh, incense, these gifts free, 
 For God and man and king is He, 
 
 And thus they worshipped his worthiness.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 The fortieth clay came Mary mild 
 Unto the Temple with her child, 
 To shew her clean that never was 'filed, 
 And herewith ends Christmas. 
 
 A CAROL OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. 
 
 This is an ancient carol of rather peculiar construction. It is contained 
 in a manuscript written early in the sixteenth century, which is pre- 
 served in the British Museum, and in which it bears the above title. 
 Except in a collection of Specimens of Old Christmas Carols, edited by 
 Jlr. Thomas Wright for the Percy Society, this carol has never before 
 been printed. 
 
 HE golden time is now at hand, 
 
 The day of joy from heaven doth spring. 
 Salvation overflows the land, 
 
 Wherefore all faithful thus may sing, 
 Glory to God most high. 
 And peace on the earth continually, 
 And imto men rejoicing ! 
 
 The birth of Christ who list to hear, 
 To this our song let them give ear, 
 
 Which shews the same most plainly : 
 The Angel Gahriel from above 
 Was sent by God to break His love 
 
 Unto the Mrgin i\Iary ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Who said, " Hail, Mary, full of grace, 
 Blessed art thou of woman's race. 
 The Lord is \Yith thee certainly, 
 As He hath sent thee word by me." 
 Wlien she heard this she was afraid, 
 And cast in her mind what he had said ; 
 The Angel said, " Fear not, Mary, 
 The Son of God doth dwell with thee. 
 
 " Lo, in thy womb thou shalt conceive. 
 And hear a Son whose name shall have 
 
 The glorious name of Jesus ; 
 He shall be great in majesty, 
 And called the Son of God Most High, 
 
 ^^Tio still shall dwell amongst us. 
 The Lord for Him shall well provide 
 The seat of His father, David ; 
 And He shall reign for evermore, 
 A safeguard still unto the poor, 
 Whose kingdom sure shall have no end. 
 But still in joys the time to spend." 
 The Virgin said to th' Angel then, 
 " How shall this be? I know no man." 
 
 The Angel answered and said, 
 " The Holy Ghost, be not afraid. 
 
 From heaven shall come upon thee ; 
 And by the grace of God Most High, 
 Power shall overshadow thee, 
 
 I tell the truth, believe me.
 
 IIELIGIOTJI^ CAROLS. 
 
 And also thy cousin, Elizabeth, 
 So in like wise conceived hath ; 
 Thus God can make the barren tree 
 To bod with fruit most ploasantlj." 
 Then Mary said, with one accord, 
 " Behold the handmaid of the Lord ! 
 The will of God be done in me 
 As it shall please His majesty ! " 
 
 When forty weeks were come and gone, 
 In Bethlehem this our Lord was born, 
 
 As Esay' he did prophecy ; 
 The shepherds keeping sheep by night, 
 The Lord did compass them with light, 
 
 His Angel walking hard by. 
 The shepherds then were sore dismay 'd, 
 The Angel said, " Be not afraid, 
 I bring you tidings of such joy 
 As Satan's force cannot destroy. 
 For why? to you is born this day 
 The Saviour of the world, I say : 
 This is the sign, where you shall see 
 A swaddled child in manger lie." 
 
 The shepherds straight to Bethlehem went, 
 As they by the Angel then were sent. 
 
 Where Joseph was with Mary ; 
 And as the Angel to thorn said, 
 
 ' Isaiah, 
 
 12
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 They found the child in manger laid, 
 
 Whom they did worship truly. 
 And spread abroad what they did see. 
 As the Angel told them certainly, 
 Eejoicing greatly at the same. 
 And praising God's Most Holy Name, 
 For sending down His only Son 
 For our salvation to be born ; 
 Which was as now this Christenmas, 
 Rejoice, therefore, both more and less.^ 
 
 "^^^X 
 
 THE VIRGIN AND CHILD. 
 
 Tms carol is contained in a very curious manuscript copy of Songs and 
 Carols, which was edited by Mr. Thomas Wright in 1847 for the Percy 
 Society. The manuscript was, in Mr. Wright's opinion, " written in 
 the latter half of the fifteenth century, pi-obably during the period 
 intervening between the latter end of the reign of Henry VI, and the 
 beginning of that of Henry VII." There is another copy in a manu- 
 script of the same period preserved in the Advocates' Library, Edin- 
 burgh. The easy flow of the verse, the grace of expression, and the 
 refinement of the piece generally, are very remarkable, considering the 
 period of production. 
 
 HIS endris'^ night 
 I saw a sight, 
 
 A star as bright as day ; 
 And ever among 
 A maiden sung, 
 
 Lullay, by by, lullay. 
 
 ' Great and small. 
 
 Last. 
 
 13
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 This lovely lady sat and sang, and to her Child said — 
 " My son, my brother, my father dear, why lyest Thou thus in 
 hayd.^ 
 
 My sweet bird, 
 Thus it is betide 
 
 Though thou be king vei'ay ; ^ 
 But, nevertheless, 
 I will not cease 
 
 To sing, by by, luUay." 
 
 The Child then spake in His talking, and to His mother said — 
 " I bekyd •'' am King, in crib ■* there I be laid ; 
 For Angels bright 
 Down to Me light. 
 
 Thou knowest it is no nay,^ 
 And of that sight 
 Thou mayst be light '^ 
 To sing, by by, luUay." 
 
 " Now, sweet Son, since Thou art King, why art Thou laid in 
 
 stall ? 
 Why not Thou ordained Tliy bedding in some great king his hall ? 
 Me thinketh it is right 
 That king or knight 
 
 Should lie in good array ; 
 And then among 
 It were no wrong 
 To sing, by by, lullay." 
 
 ' Winter. 
 * Mansrer. 
 
 2 True. 
 
 * Not to be denied. 
 
 ^ I am renowned as. 
 •"• Quick.
 
 BELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " Mary, mother, I am thy child, though I he laid in stall, 
 Lords and dukes shall worship Me, and so shall kings all ; 
 Ye shaU well see 
 That kings three 
 
 Shall come the twelfth day ; 
 For this behest 
 Give me thy breast 
 
 And sing, by by, lullay." 
 
 " Xow tell me, sweet Son, I Thee pray, Thou art my love and 
 
 dear, 
 How shovdd I keep Thee to Thy pay,^ and make Thee glad of 
 cheer ; 
 
 For all Thy will 
 I would fulfil 
 
 Thou witest - full well in fay,^ 
 And for all this 
 I will thee kiss 
 
 And sing, by by, lullay." 
 
 " jNIy dear mother, when time it be, thou take ^Me up aloft, 
 And set Me upon thy knee, and handle Me fuU soft ; 
 And in thy arm 
 Thou wilt me warm, 
 
 And keep night and day ; 
 If I weep 
 And may not sleep, 
 
 Thou sing, by by, lullay." 
 
 Satisfaction. 
 
 ^ Knowest. 
 
 3 Faith.
 
 " Now, sweet Son, since it is so, that all thing is at Thy will, 
 I pray thee grant me a boon, if it be both right and skill, ^ 
 That child or man, 
 That will or can 
 
 Be merry upon my day ; 
 To bliss them bring, 
 And I shall sing 
 
 Lnllay, by by, lullay." 
 
 A CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 This and the following carol are taken from a rare musical publication 
 bearing the title of" ^ Songs of sundrie natures, some of grauitie, and 
 others of myrth, fit for all companies and voyces. Lately made and 
 composed into Musicke of 3, 4. 5. and 6. parts : and published for the 
 delight of all such as take pleasure in the exercise of that Art. By 
 William Byrd, one of the Gentlemen of the Queenes Maiesties honorable 
 Chappell. H Imprinted at London by Thomas East, the assigne of 
 William Byrd, and are to be sold at the house of the sayd T. East, being 
 in Aldersgate streete, at the signe of the blacke Horse. 1589. Cum 
 priuilegio Eegise Maiestatis." Each of the two pieces is designated, " A 
 Carowle ^for Christmas day." Prior to its publication by Byrd, the 
 present carol had appeared in the collection of poems entitled " The 
 Paradise of Dainty Devices,'' 1576, with the initial?, F. K. (those of 
 Francis Kinwelraersh) attached to it. Both this and the succeeding 
 carol are here given from a copy of Byrd's work in the Library of the 
 Sacred Harmonic Society. Neither has hitherto been reproduced in 
 any collection of carols 
 
 ' Reasonable.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Rejoice, rejoice, with heart and voice, 
 In Christ His birth this day rejoice. 
 
 ROM Virgin's womb this day did spring 
 The precious seed that only saved man, 
 This day let man rejoice and sweetly sing, 
 Since on this day salvation first began. 
 This day did Christ man's soul from death remove 
 With glorious Saints to dwell in heaven above. 
 
 This day to man came pledge of perfect peace, 
 This day to man came love and unity, 
 
 This day man's grief began for to surcease, 
 This day did man receive a remedy 
 
 For each offence and every deadly sin 
 
 With guilty heart that erst he wandered in. 
 
 In Christ His flock let love be sm-ely placed, 
 From Christ His flock let concord hate expel. 
 
 Of Chi-ist His flock let love be so embraced, 
 As we in Christ and Christ in us may dwell. 
 
 Christ is the author of sweet unity. 
 
 From whence proceedeth all felicity. 
 
 O sing unto this glittering glorious King, 
 O praise His Name let every living thing. 
 Let heart and voice like bells of silver ring 
 The comfort that this day to man doth bring. 
 Let lute, let shalm, with sound of sweet delight, 
 These joys of Christ His birth this day recite.
 
 fO^ 
 
 A CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 See note on the preceding carol. 
 
 Cast off all doubtful care, 
 
 Exile and banish tears ; 
 To joyful news divine 
 
 Lend us your list'ning ears. 
 
 N earthly tree a heavenly fruit it bare, 
 
 A case of clay contained a crown immortal, 
 A. crown of crowns, a King wliose cost and care 
 Redeemed poor man, whose race before was thrall 
 To death, to doom, to pains of everlasting, 
 By His sweet death, scorns, stripes, and often fasting. 
 
 A star above the stars, a sun of light. 
 
 Whose blessed beams this wretched earth bespread 
 With hope of heaven and of God's Son the sight, 
 
 "\r\liich in om- flesh and sinful soul lay dead. 
 O faith, O hope, O joys renowned for ever, 
 lively life that deathless shall persever.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Then let us sing the lullabys of sleep 
 To this sweet babe, born to awake us all 
 
 From drowsy sin that made old Adam weep, 
 And by his fault gave to mankind the fall. 
 
 For lo ! this day, the birth day, day of days. 
 
 Summons om- songs to give Ilim laud and praise. 
 
 mii 
 
 
 '-^ 
 
 xTKV 
 
 m 
 
 A CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 This appears, under the above name, in William Byrd's " Psalmes, 
 Songs, and Sonnets : some solemne, others ioyfull, framed to the life of 
 the Words : Fit for Voyces or Viols of 3. 4. 5. and 6. Parts," printed 
 at London in 1611, and a copy of which, (whence the present carol has 
 been derived) is in the library of the Sacred Harmonic Society. It has 
 not been included in any collection of carols, and is here given only 
 as a singular specimen of a carol not in rhymed verse. 
 
 HIS day Christ was born, 
 This day om* Saviour did appear. 
 This day the Angels sing in earth. 
 The Archangels are glad ; 
 
 This day the just rejoice, saj4ng. 
 
 Glory be to God on liigh. 
 
 AXLELTJJAH ! 
 
 ^r^-^ 
 
 ys*N^l 
 
 19
 
 THE SINNER'S REDEMPTION. 
 
 This is one of the most popular eai'ols. It is annually reprinted by the 
 broadside printers, and is included in most of the existing collections of 
 carols. Possibly the oldest known copy of this carol is that contained in 
 the undated edition of Thomas Deloney, " the ballad ing silk- weaver's," 
 Garland of Good Will, believed to have been issued in 1709. It is there 
 entitled, " The Sinner's Redemption : The Nativity of our Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ, with His life on earth, and precious death on the 
 Cross." Although appearing in that publication there is no reason for 
 supposing it to have been written by Deloney, who died in 1600 ; but 
 there is no doubt of its being of considerable age. The copy printed in 
 1709 consists of twenty-eight verses, but wants the burthen, " And to 
 redeem," &c ; the last twelve of these verses, however, are commonly 
 omitted, as relating not to the commencement of our blessed Lord's 
 career on earth, but to its conclusion. The shorter version, as being the 
 most generally used, is here retained. In Davies Gilbert's collection the 
 carol commences, " Let all that are to mirth inclined ; " and there is 
 extant a sheet of music issued by a London publisher (who withheld his 
 name) about 1775, containing a short version of the carol, differino- from 
 Gilbert's, but commencing in the same way, set to a tune composed by 
 J. A ;— M. B.— possibly John Alcock, organist of Lichfield Cathedral, or 
 his son, John. In a copy in the Roxburgh collection of Ballads the carol 
 is directed to be sung " To the tune of My bleeding heart, or, In Greet." 
 
 LL you that are to mirth inclined, 
 Consider well and bear in mind 
 "VMiat om- good God for us hath done 
 In sending his beloved Son. 
 
 And to redeem our souls from thrall, 
 He ^ is the Saviour of us all. 
 Christ" in the West-country version.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Let all your songs and praises be 
 Unto his Heavenly Majesty, 
 And evermore among your mii'th 
 Remember Christ our Saviour's birth. 
 And to redeem, &c. 
 
 The five-and-twentieth of December, 
 Good cause have you for to remember, 
 In Bethlehem upon this morn 
 There was om- blessed Saviour born. 
 And to redeem, <fec. 
 
 The night before that happy tide 
 The spotless Virgin, and her guide. 
 Went long time seeking up and down. 
 To find them lodging in the town. 
 And to redeem, <fec. 
 
 And mark how all things came to pass, 
 The inns and lodgings so filled was. 
 That they could have no room at all, 
 But in a silly ^ ox's stall. 
 
 And to redeem, tfec. 
 
 That night the Yu-gin Mary mild 
 Was safe deUvered of a Child, 
 According unto Heaven's decree 
 Man's sweet salvation for to be. 
 And to redeem, <fec. 
 
 ' Sunple, inoffensive. 
 
 21
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Near Bethlehem did Shepherds keep 
 Their herds and flocks of feeding sheep, 
 To whom God's Angel did appear, 
 Which put the Shepherds in great fear. 
 And to redeem, &c. 
 
 R\ 
 
 " Prepare and go," the Angel said, 
 " To Betlilehem, be not afraid ; 
 There shall jou see this blessed morn. 
 The princely babe, sweet Jesus, born." 
 And to redeem, (fee. 
 
 ^ 
 
 With thankful hearts and joyful mind. 
 The Shepherds went this Babe to find, 
 And as the heavenly Angel told, 
 They did our Saviour Christ behold. 
 And to redeem, <fec. 
 
 ■ 3) 
 
 Within a manger was he laid, 
 The Virgin Mary by him stayed, 
 Attending on the Lord of life. 
 Being both mother, maid, and wife. 
 And to redeem, &c. 
 
 Three Eastern Wise Men from afar. 
 Directed by a glorious Star, 
 Came boldly on, and made no stay 
 Until they came where Jesus lay. 
 And to redeem, (fee. 
 
 22
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 And being come unto the place 
 "NMierein the blest Messias was, 
 They humbly laid before his feet 
 Their gifts of gold and odours sweet. 
 And to redeem, &c. 
 
 See how the Lord of Heaven and Earth 
 Shewed himself lowly in his birth, 
 A sweet example for mankind, 
 To learn to bear an humble mind. 
 And to redeem, &c. 
 
 No costly robes or rich attire 
 Did Jesus Christ our Lord deshe. 
 No music nor sweet harmony, 
 Till glorious Angels from on high. 
 And to redeem, tfec. 
 
 Did in melodious manner sing 
 Praises unto our heavenly King ; 
 All honour, glory, might and power 
 Be unto Christ our Saviour. 
 
 And to redeem, &e. 
 
 If chou's of Angels did rejoice, 
 Well may mankind with heart and voice 
 Sing praises to the God of Heaven, 
 That unto us his Son is given. 
 
 And to redeem, &c.
 
 l^ 
 
 ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE MORNING. 
 
 This carol enjoys a very extensive popularity. It is found, under 
 various forms, in nearly every collection of sheet carols. One of the 
 most frequently printed versions is entitled, '■ The Sunny Bank." This 
 is said to be of Warwickshire or Staffordshire origin ; but its use is not 
 confined to those, or the neighbouring, counties, as it is printed both in 
 the North and West of England. 
 
 The entire carol, omitting the repetitions, which occur precisely as in 
 the carol, " On Christmas Day in the morning," is comprised in the 
 following words: — 
 
 " As I sat on a sunny bank 
 
 On Christmas day in the morning, 
 I spied thi'ee ships come sailing by. 
 And who should be with those three ships 
 
 But Joseph and his fair lady. 
 
 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." 
 
 There is also a Kentish version which runs thus:— the repetitions being 
 omitted as in the above : — 
 
 " As I sat under a sycamore tree, 
 
 1 Icoked me out upon the sea 
 
 On Christmas day in the morning. 
 I saw three ships a sailing there. 
 The Virgin Mary and Christ they bare. 
 He did whistle and she did sing, 
 And all the bells on earth did rinof.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 And now we hope to taste your cheer, 
 And wish you all a happy New Year 
 On Christmas Day in the morning." 
 
 For an explanation of how the two holy persons named in these carols 
 contrived to occupy three ships we must refer either to the expounders 
 of miracles, or to the Court Newsman, who was wont to tell the public 
 that the Queen went in six carriages to the theatre, or elsewhere. 
 
 Kitson the antiquary, in the Introduction to his collection of Scottish 
 Songs, gives some lines sung during the Christmas holidays about the 
 middle of the sixteenth century, in which the following stanza occurs :— 
 
 " There comes a ship far sailing then. 
 Saint Michel was the stieres-man ; 
 
 Saint John sate in the horn : 
 Our Lord harped, our Lady sang, 
 And all the bells of heaven they rang. 
 
 On Christ's Sonday at mom." 
 
 This may be the original of the three ships of our carol. 
 
 SAW three ships come sailing in, 
 On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day : 
 I saw three ships come sailing in 
 On Christmas Dav in the morning. 
 
 And who was in those ships all thi-ee, 
 On Christmas Day, on Chi-istmas Day ? 
 And who was in those ships all three, 
 On Christmas Day in the morning ? 
 
 Our Saviom- Christ and his lady, 
 On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day ; 
 Our Saviour Christ and his lady. 
 On Christmas Day in the morning. 
 
 25
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Praj 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 hells on earth shall ring, 
 On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day ; 
 And all the hells 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.
 
 GOD REST YOU, MERRY GENTLEMEN. 
 
 There is no carol, perhaps, so universally known as this. Many, who 
 have heard no other carol, are familiar with " God rest you, merry 
 gentlemen," and speak of it as the Christmas carol. The only carols 
 which at the present time in any degree approach it in point of popularity 
 are " The Seven Joys," and " The Sunny Bank," which many of the 
 broadside printers annually associate with it on the same sheet ; accom- 
 panied of late yeai's by an English translation of the Latin Christmas 
 hymn, " Adeste, fideles," under the title of the Portuguese Hymn, or as 
 one worthy printer calls it "A favourite Christmas Hymn, translated 
 from the Portuguese," ignorant of the fact that its title of " Portuguese," 
 was given to it by an English nobleman who was a director of the 
 Concerts of Ancient Music and introduced the hymn there, having 
 previously heard it sung at the Chapel of the Portuguese embassy in 
 South Street, Grosvenor Square, and assuming it to be a Portuguese 
 composition. As may be expected of a piece so often printed and sung 
 in districts so widely separated there are several variations in the dif- 
 ferent copies of this carol, but the version here printed seems the 
 most generally received, and is perhaps the most genuine. 
 
 OD rest jou, merrj gentlemen, 
 Let nothing you dismay, 
 Remember Christ, our Saviour, 
 Was born on Christmas day ; 
 To save us all from Satan's power, 
 WTien we were gone astray. 
 
 O tidings of comfort and joy.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 K 
 
 In Bethlehem, in Jewry 
 
 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 shepherds, 
 
 Brought tidings of the same ; 
 That there was born in Bethlehem 
 
 The Son of God by name. 
 
 O tidings, tfee. 
 
 " Fear not," then said the Angel, 
 " Let nothing you affright, 
 
 " For there is born in Bethlehem 
 " Of a pure Virgin bright, 
 
 " One able to advance you, 
 
 " And throw down Satan quite." 
 O tidings, &c. 
 
 yVA 
 
 The shepherds, at those tidings. 
 
 Rejoiced much in mind. 
 And left their flocks a-feeding 
 
 In tempest, storm, and wind, 
 And straightway went to Bethlehem 
 
 The Son of God to find. 
 
 O tidings, (fee.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 But when they came to Bethlehem, 
 
 Where as this Infant lay, 
 They found Him in a manger. 
 
 Where oxen feed on hjiy. 
 His mother Mary kneeling down. 
 
 Unto the Lord did pray. 
 
 O tidings, (fee. 
 
 With sudden joy and gladness 
 The shepherds were heguiled, 
 
 To see the Babe of Israel, 
 Before His mother mild, 
 
 O then with joy and cheerfulness 
 Rejoice, each mother's child. 
 
 O tichngs, tfec. 
 
 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, <fec. 
 
 God bless the ruler of this house 
 
 And send him long to reign, 
 And many a merry Christmas 
 
 May he live to see again 
 Among his friends and kindred 
 
 That hve both far and near ; 
 
 And God send you a happy New Year.
 
 A VIRGIN MOST PURE. 
 
 This carol has enjoyed great popularity, particularly in the West of 
 England. There are other versions commencing — 
 
 " A Virgin unspotted the Prophets did tell 
 Should bring forth a Saviour, as now it befell," &c. 
 
 And— 
 
 " A Virgin unspotted, as Prophets foretold 
 
 Hath brought forth a young Son, which now we behold," &c. 
 
 And there is yet another variation commencing with the burthen 
 " Rejoice and be merry," and otherwise diifering from the present. 
 Hone has entered this latter and the version now given in his list as dis- 
 tinct carols. There are certain expressions in the present carol which 
 convey the idea of its possessing some claim to be called ancient. The 
 first of the versions commencing " A Virgin unspotted," was printed by 
 the Rev. Arthur Bedford (tlie author of several curious works on music 
 and the stage) about the year 1734. Mr. Bedford, in the title of the carol, 
 has given us a singular etymological derivation of the word carol from 
 Carolus; viz. " A Christmas carol, so called because such were in use 
 in K. Charles I. Reign." ! The reader of the present volume will not, 
 it is feared, entertain a very high opinion of Mr. Bedford's antiquarian 
 learning, at least on the subject of Christmas carols. 
 
 VIRGIN most pure, as the Prophets did tell, 
 Hath brought forth a Baby, as it hath befell, 
 To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin, 
 AMiich Adam's transgression hath wrapped us in. 
 Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside, 
 Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 In Bethlehem, a city in Jewry it was, — 
 Where Joseph and Mary together did pass, 
 And there to be taxed, with many one mo/ 
 For Caesar commanded the same should be so. 
 
 Kejoice, «fcc. 
 
 But when they had entered the city so fair, 
 
 A number of people so mighty was there, 
 
 That Joseph and Mary, Avhose substance was small, 
 
 Could get in the city no lodging at all. 
 
 Eejoice, &c. 
 
 Then they were constrained in a stable to lie, 
 \Miere 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. 
 
 Kejoice, kc. 
 
 The King of all Glory to the world being brought, 
 Small store of fine linen to wrap him was sought ; 
 WTien Mary had swaddled her young Son so sweet, 
 In an ox's manger she laid him to sleep. 
 
 Rejoice, <fec. 
 
 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. 
 
 Eejoice, «irc. 
 
 31
 
 Then presently after, the shepherds did spy 
 A immhor 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 ; 
 So then they consented, and to Bethlehem did go. 
 And when they came thither, they found it was so. 
 
 Rejoice, &c. 
 
 REMEMBER, O THOU MAN. 
 
 This" Christmas carol "was printed, in 1611, in the curious musical work 
 of Thomas Ravenscroft, entitled " Melismata. Mvsicall Phansies. Fitting 
 the Covrt, Citie, and Covutrey Hvmovrs. To 3, 4 and 5 Voyces. To 
 all delightful], except to the SpitefuU, To none offensiue, except to the 
 Pensiue." It is there set to music in four parts. In 1665, 1669 and 
 1682 the carol with its tune only was given in the several editions of a 
 collection of " Song and Fancies, To severall Musicall Parts," which 
 was printed by John Forbes at Aberdeen. Considerable attention was 
 attracted to the latter work some forty years since by an idle assertion 
 that the melody of the well-known song " God, save the king " was derived 
 from that of " Remember, O thou man." A paraphrase of the carol 
 appeared in " Ane compendious Booke of Godly and Spirituall Songs, 
 with sundrie Ballatcs changed out of prophaine Songes &c," which was 
 printed by Andro Hart in Edinburgh in 1621. It commences — 
 
 Remember, man, remember, man, 
 That I thy saull from Sathan wan. 
 And has done for thee what I can, &c. 
 
 The Elizabethan writers designated carols like the present, " Suffering 
 Ballads,"
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 The carol is now printed from a copy of the 3Ielismata in the library 
 of the Sacred Harmonic Society, and collated with a copy of the 1G82 
 edition of Foi'bes's publication in the same collection. The verse included 
 between brackets does not however appear in either of those copies, but 
 is added from a broadside of later date. 
 
 EMEMBER, thou Man, 
 O thou JNIau, O thou ]\Ia», 
 Remember, thou ]\Ian, 
 
 Thy time is spent. 
 Remember, O thou Man, 
 How thou art dead and gone, 
 And I did what I can, 
 
 Therefore repent. 
 
 Remember Adam's fall, 
 O tliou Man, O thou Man, 
 Remember Adam's fall 
 
 From Heaven to Hell : 
 Remember Adam's fall, 
 How we were condemned all, 
 In 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 he sent his Son, doubtless. 
 Our sins for to redress, 
 
 Be not afraid.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 The Angels all did sing, 
 O thou Man, O thou Man, 
 The Angels all did sing 
 
 Upon the Shepherds' hill. 
 The Angels all did sing 
 Praises to our Heavenly King, 
 And peace to man living, 
 
 With a 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, thou Man, 
 To Bethlehem did they go. 
 
 The Shepherds three. 
 To Bethlehem did they go. 
 To see where it were so or no, 
 Whether Christ were horn or no, 
 
 To set man free. 
 
 As the Angels before did say, 
 O thou Man, O thou ]\Ian, 
 As the Angels before did say. 
 So it came to pass.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 As the Angels before did say, 
 They found a babe where as it lay. 
 In a manger wi-apt iu hay, 
 So poor he was. 
 
 In Bethlehem he was born, 
 O thou Man, O thou Man, 
 In Bethlehem he was born 
 
 For mankind's sake. 
 In Bethlehem he was born 
 For us that were forlorn, 
 And therefore took no scorn 
 
 Our flesh to take. 
 
 [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 alway, 
 O thou Man, O thou Man, 
 Give thanks to God alway, 
 
 "With heart most joyfully ; 
 Give thanks to God alway, 
 For this our happy day 
 Let all men sing and say 
 
 Holy, holy.
 
 THE WORCESTERSHIRE CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 This Carol possesses a qualification which in the eyes of many entitles 
 it to great consideration ; — that of rarity. It has only been met with 
 on two bruacbitles, both bearing the above title, and both printed at Bir- 
 mingham at a not very distant date, and in a collection publishetl under 
 the pseudonym of Joshua Sylvester in 1861. To something like an 
 affectation of sonorousness, the author has united a truthfulness of ex- 
 pression which render this one of the most pleasing of modern carols. 
 
 OW grand and how bright 
 That wonderful night 
 
 When angels to Bethlehem came ; 
 They burst forth like fires, 
 They struck their gold lyres. 
 
 And mingled their sound with the flame. 
 
 The shepherds were amazed. 
 
 The pretty lambs gazed, 
 At darkness thus turned into light, 
 
 No voice was there heard, 
 
 From man, beast, or bird, 
 So sudden and solemn the sight. 
 
 And then when the sound 
 
 Re-echoed around, 
 The hills and the dales all awoke, 
 
 The moon and the stars 
 
 Stopt their fiery ears. 
 And listened whUe Gabriel spoke : — 
 
 36
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 ^=a^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 " I bring you," said he, 
 
 " From the glorious tree, 
 A message both gladsome and good, 
 
 The Saviour is come 
 
 To the world as His home, 
 But He lies iu a manger of wood." 
 
 At mention of this, 
 
 The source of all bliss. 
 The Angels sang loudly and long, 
 
 They soared to the sky. 
 
 Beyond mortal eye. 
 But left us the words of their song : — 
 
 " All glory to God, 
 
 \\'ho laid by His rod. 
 To smile on the world through His Son, 
 
 And peace be on earth. 
 
 For this wonderful birth 
 Most wonderful conquests has won. 
 
 
 
 /y 
 
 ^^. 
 
 " And good will to man, 
 Though his life's but a span, 
 
 And his soul all sinful and vile." 
 Then pray. Christians, pray, 
 And let Christmas Day 
 
 Have a tear as well as a smile. 
 
 l^ 
 
 37
 
 A NEW CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 Tins was a favourite in the metropolis in the early part of the present 
 century, and is to be seen on broad sheets then printed in Bloonisbury 
 and Clerkenweli. It has only onco, however, been reprinted in a 
 collection. 
 
 ' T is the day, the Holy day. 
 
 On wliich our Lord was born, 
 And sweetly do the simheams gild 
 The dew bcspnnklcd thorn. 
 The birds sing thro' the heavens, 
 
 And the breezes gently play, 
 And song and sunshine lovely, 
 Begin this Holy day. 
 
 'Twas in a humble manger, 
 
 A little lowly shed, 
 With cattle at His infant feet, 
 
 And shepherds at His head, 
 The Saviour of this sinful world, 
 
 In innocence first lay, 
 While Wise Men made their offerings 
 
 To Him this Holy day. 
 
 He comes to save the perishing, 
 
 To waft the sighs to heaven 
 Of guilty men, who truly sought 
 
 To weep, to be forgiven.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 An Intercessor still He shines, 
 And men to Him shoulJ praj, 
 
 At His altar's feet, for meekness 
 Upon this Holy day. 
 
 As flowers still bloom fair ajrain, 
 
 Thongh all their life seems shed. 
 Thus we shall rise with life once more, 
 
 Tho' number'd with the dead. 
 Then may our stations be near Him, 
 
 To whom we worship pay, 
 And praise with heart-felt gratitude, 
 
 Upon this Holy day. 
 
 39 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■5= 
 
 b2
 
 9c^b^. 
 
 :S"^^^/^ 
 
 
 
 v^Vsfj^q^l 
 
 A CAROL FOR ST. STI'IMIEN'S DAY. 
 
 This can.l is contaiiud in a nmmiMrii't in llu" lirilish Museum of tlio 
 pt-ri.xl of Henry VI. Dr. Trior, in his oxcolU-nt colU-.tinn of Ami.-nt 
 Danish Rallails, has giver, a Danish version, in which Stephen is repre- 
 sented not as a eh-rk or sewer, hut a stable boy. Of the legend, whieh is 
 ofmuchoKler«hite than tlie carol, Dr. Trior thus siM^aks : " ThosU.ry of 
 thec(K-k was originally applied to other Saints, as St. James, St. lVt«r, 
 or the Virgin. The oldest account of it is in Vine. Ik-ll.ivacensis, from 
 an author who lived about 1200. Two friends sat down to dinner in 
 Bologna, and one bade the other to carve the cock, which he did, so that, 
 as he said, not St. Teter or our I^.rd Himself could put it together again. 
 The cock sprang up, clapp«-d his wings and crowed, scattering the sauce 
 over the two friends, and rendering them lei)ers until the day of llieir 
 death. The same miracle is related as having occurre<l to prove the inno- 
 cence of persons falsely accused, and is f.)und in the legends of Spain, 
 IJriltany, Italy, and Sclavonian countries. How it came to be appro- 
 priated to St. Stephen docs not appear." The odd anaehrouism of mak- 
 ing the martyrdom of Stephen occur under Ibrod will not escape the 
 reader's observation. 
 
 ATNT Stephen was a clerk 
 In king Ilerod liis hall, 
 And served liini of bread and cloth 
 As ever king befall.' 
 
 Stephen out of kitchen came 
 
 "With boar his head on hand, 
 He saw a star was fair and bright 
 
 Over Bethlem stand. 
 • happened to.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 lie cast ailown the boar his head, 
 
 Ami went into the hall ; 
 " I foi-sake thee, king Ileroil, 
 
 And thy works all. 
 
 " I forsake thee, king JferiKl, 
 
 Ami thy works all, 
 There is a chilil in Bethkin Lorn. 
 
 Is better than wo all." 
 
 " ^^^mt alleth thee, Stephen, 
 
 ^^^lat is thee befall ? 
 Lacketh thee cither meat or tlrink, 
 
 In king Ilorod his hall?" 
 
 ** Lacketh me neither meat nor drink 
 
 In king Herod his hall. 
 There is a child in Uethkni born, 
 
 Is better than we all." 
 
 "■ \\1iat aileth thee, Stephen, 
 
 Art thou wwle,' or thou ginncst to bredc?' 
 Lacketh thee either gold or fee, 
 
 Or any rich weed ?" ^ 
 
 '* Lacketh mo neither gold nor fee, 
 
 Xor none rich weed, 
 There is a child in liethlem bore 
 
 Shall help us at our need." 
 
 mail. 
 
 * u]<brai(L 
 
 * dress. 
 
 J!!&
 
 
 ^ 
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " That is all so sooth, Stephen, 
 
 All so sooth, I wis. 
 As this capon crow shall, 
 
 That lycth here in my dish." 
 
 That word was not so soon said, 
 
 That word in that hall, 
 The capon crew, Christus natus est ! 
 
 Among the lords all. 
 
 Ixiseth up my tormentors,^ 
 
 By two, and all by one, 
 And leadeth Stephen out of this town. 
 
 And stoneth him with stone. 
 
 Took en they Stephen, 
 
 And stoned him in the way, 
 
 And therefore is his even. 
 On Christ his own day. 
 
 ' executioners.
 
 A CAROL FOR ST. STEPHEN'S DAY. 
 
 Tuis is a nortli-country carol and is principally to be met with in the 
 broad-sheets printed at Newcastle during the last and present centuries. 
 An abbreviated version, with some alterations, which are anything but 
 improvements, is given in some of the broadsides issued from the Seven- 
 Dials press of the well-known Catnach. It has not been given in any 
 preceding collection of carols. 
 
 N friendly love and unity 
 
 For good St. Stephen's sake, 
 Let us all this blessed day 
 To heaven our prayers make ; 
 That we with liim the Cross of Christ 
 May freely undertake, 
 
 And Jesus will send you His blessing. 
 
 Those accursed infidels 
 
 That stoned him to death, 
 Could not by their cruelties 
 
 Withhold him from his faith : 
 In such a godly martyrdom. 
 
 Seek we all the path. 
 
 And Jesus will send you His blessing. 
 
 43
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 And wliilst we sit here banqxiettiug, 
 
 Of dainties having store, 
 Let us not forgetful be 
 
 To cherish up the poor, 
 And give what is convenient 
 
 To those that ask at door. 
 
 And Jesus will send you His blessing. 
 
 For God has made you stewards here 
 
 Upon the earth to dwell ; 
 He that gathereth for himself, 
 
 And will not use it well. 
 Lives far worse than de^•ils do 
 
 That burneth now in hell. 
 
 And Jesus wiU send you His blessing. 
 
 And now in love and charity 
 
 See you your table spread ; 
 That I may taste of your good cheer, 
 
 Your Christmas ale and bread, 
 That I may say that I full well 
 
 For tliis my carol sped. 
 
 And Jesus will send you His blessing. 
 
 For bounty is a blessed gift. 
 
 The Lord above it sends ; 
 And he that gives it from his hands 
 
 Desen'eth many friends ; 
 I see it on my master's board ; 
 
 And so my carol ends. 
 
 Lord Jesus now send you His blessing.
 
 A CAROL OF THE INNOCENTS. 
 
 This Carol was printed in a volume bearing the title of ^ Christmas 
 carolles newely Inprinted. [Woodcut of Our Saviour crucified between 
 the two thieves.] ^ Imprinted at London in the Powltry, by Kichard 
 Kelo, dwelling at the longe shop under saynt Myldredes Chyrche," 
 which was probably published between the years 1546 and 1552, during 
 which time Kele lived at the Long shop in the Poultry, and at the sign 
 of the Eagle near unto Stocks Market in Lombard Street. Seven of the 
 carols contained in Kele's publication were included by the late Dr. 
 Bliss in a small volume of Bibliographical Miscellanies which he printed in 
 1813, and from this volume, (which is now very scarce, the impression 
 having been limited to 104 copies,) the present copy is taken. 
 
 The circumstance of Herod's own child being slain in the massacre was 
 believed for centuries. How or when the tradition arose is uncertain, 
 but the circumstance is mentioned by Macrobius, who wrote in the fifth 
 century, in connection with a witticism of the Emperor Augustus Caesar, 
 who, on hearing the report, said, it was better to be Herod's pig than his 
 son ; in allusion to Herod's position as King of the Jews. In " The 
 Slaughter of the Innocents," one of the mysteries formerly performed by 
 the trades of Chester at Whitsuntide, one of Herod's soldiers kills a child 
 in the arms of a woman, who tells him it is the king's son, who had been 
 placed at nurse with her. She rushes to Herod and acquaints him of 
 the murder, on hearing of which he rages, becomes mad, and dies; and 
 a demon comes and carries him into the place of torment. 
 
 ARK this song, for it is true, 
 For it is true as clerks tell : 
 In old time strange things came to pass, 
 Great wonder and great marvel was 
 In Israel.
 
 RELIGIOUS CABOLS. 
 
 There was one Octavian, 
 Octaviau of Eome Emperor, 
 As books old doth specify, 
 Of all the wide world truly 
 
 lie was lord and governor. 
 
 The Jews that time lacked a king, 
 They lacked a king to guide them well. 
 The Emperor of power and might. 
 Chose one Herod against all nght, 
 In Israel. 
 
 This Herod then was King of Jews, 
 Was King of Jews, and he no Jew, 
 Forsooth he was a Paynim born, 
 "WTierefore on faith it may be sworn 
 He reigned King untrue. 
 
 By prophecy one Isai, 
 One Isai at least did tell 
 A child should come, wondrous news. 
 That should be born true King of Jews 
 lu Israel. 
 
 This Herod knew one born should be, 
 One born should be of true lineage. 
 That should be right heritor ; 
 For he but by the Emperor 
 
 Was made by usurpage.
 
 RELIGIO US CAROLS. 
 
 "Wherefore of thought this King Herod, 
 This King Herod in great fear fell, 
 For all the days most in his mirth. 
 Ever he feared Christ bis birth 
 In Israel. 
 
 The time came it pleased God, 
 It pleased God so to come to pass. 
 For man's soul indeed 
 His blessed Son was born with speed 
 As his will was. 
 
 Tidings came to King Herod, 
 To King Herod, and did him tell, 
 That one bom forsooth is he, 
 "Which lord and king of aU shall be 
 In Israel. 
 
 Herod then raged as he were wode,^ 
 As he were wode of this tiding, 
 And sent for all his scribes sure, 
 Yet would he not trust the Scripture, 
 Xor of their counselling. 
 
 Then this was the conclusion. 
 The conclusion of his counsel. 
 To send unto his knights anon 
 To slav the children every one 
 In Israel. 
 
 ' mad. 
 
 
 
 ^
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 This cruel king this tyranny, 
 This tyranny did put in ure,^ 
 Between a day and years two 
 All men-children he did slew, 
 
 Of Christ for to he sure. 
 
 Yet Herod missed his cruel prey, 
 His cruel prey as was God's will ; 
 Joseph with Mary then did flee 
 With Christ to Egypt gone was she 
 From Israel. 
 
 All the while these tyrants. 
 These tyrants would not convert, 
 But innocents young 
 That lay sucking, 
 
 They thrust to the heart. 
 
 This Herod sought the children young, 
 The children young, with courage fell, 
 But in doing this vengeance 
 His own son was slain by chance 
 In Israel. 
 
 Alas ! I think the mothers wore woe, 
 The mothers were woe, it was great skill, 
 What motherly pain 
 To see them slain 
 
 In cradles lying still ! 
 
 ' practice.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 But God Himself hath them elect, 
 Hath them elect, in heaven to dwell, 
 For thcj were bathed in their blood, 
 For their Baptism forsooth it stood 
 In Israel. 
 
 Alas ! again what hearts had thej. 
 What hearts had they those babes to kill, 
 \\'\i\\ swords when they them caught, 
 In cradles they lay and laughed. 
 And never thought ill. 
 
 A LULLABY CAROL. 
 
 This Carol is taken from a scarce and curious musical work entitled, 
 " Psalmes, Sonets and songs of sadnes and pietie, made into Musicke of 
 fine parts : whereof, some of them going abroad among diuers, in vntrue 
 coppies, are heere truely corrected, and th' other being Songs very rare 
 and newly composed, are heere published, for the recreation of all such 
 as delight in Musicke : By William Byrd one of the Gent : of the Queenes 
 Maiesties Royall Chappell ;" which was printed at London, at first with- 
 out date, in the year 1587, and afterwards with the date of 1588. The 
 work has a dedication to Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor 
 of England, the favourite of Elizabeth, known as the " dancing 
 Chancellor," — 
 
 " Full oft within the spacious walls, 
 
 When he had fifty winters o'er him, 
 My grave Lord Keeper led the braules : 
 
 The seal and maces danc'd before him." —
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 w 
 
 "^' 
 
 And on the back of the title are some reasons fur learning to sing, so 
 excellent and so quaintly expressed, that the reader will not regret their 
 introduction here. 
 
 " \ Keasons briefely set dovvne by th' author, to perswade euery one 
 to learne to sing. 
 
 First, it is a knowledge easely taught, and quickly learned, where 
 there is a good Master, and an apt Scholler. 
 
 2. The exercise of singing is delightfull to Nature, and good to preserue 
 the health of Man. 
 
 3. It doth strengthen all parts of the brest, and doth open the pipes. 
 
 4. It is a singular good remedie for a slutting and stamering in the 
 speech. 
 
 5. It is the best meanes to procure a perfect pronounciation, and to 
 make a good Orator. 
 
 6. It is the onely way to know where Nature hath bestowed the bene- 
 fit of a good voyce : which guift is so rai'e, as there is not one among a 
 thousand, that hath it : and in many, that excellent guift is lost because 
 they want art to expresse Nature. 
 
 7. There is not any Musicke of Instruments whatsoeuer, comparable 
 to that which is made of the voyces of Men, where the voyces are good, 
 and the same well sorted and ordered. 
 
 8. The better the voyce is, the meeter it is to honour and serue God 
 there-with : and the voyce of man is chiefely to bee imployed to that 
 ende. 
 
 Omnis spiritus Laudes Doniiiium. 
 Since singing is so good a thing, 
 I wish all men would learne to sing." 
 
 The carol was reprinted by Sir Egerton Brydges in his Ctnsura 
 Liferaria, and has been thence copied into several collections of carols, but 
 all these copies have defects occasioned by Sir Egerton having used the 
 Tenor part only of Byrd's work. The present copy is given from a 
 complete set of the original part books (the undated edition) now in the 
 library of the Sacred Harmonic Society. 
 
 50
 
 Jt. 
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 % 
 
 & 
 
 Mil 
 
 ULLA, la lulla, hilla lullaby, 
 Mj sweet little baby, wbat meanest tlioii to ci'y ? 
 Be still, my blessed babe, though cause thou hast 
 to mourn, 
 
 "Whose blood most innocent to shed the cruel king hath sworn : 
 And lo, alas, behold what slaughter he doth make. 
 Shedding the blood of infants all, sweet Saviour, for Thy sake, 
 A King is born, they say, which King this king would kill; 
 Oh wo, and woful heavy day, when wretches have their will. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Lulla, la lulla, lulla lullaby. 
 My sweet little baby, what meanest thou to cry ? 
 Three kings this King of kings to see, are come from far, 
 To each unknown, with offerings great, by guiding of a star ! 
 And shepherds heard the song, which Angels bright did sing. 
 Giving all glory unto God, for coming of this King, 
 Which must be made away, King Herod would Him kill ; 
 Oh wo, and woful heavy day, when A\Tetches have their will. 
 
 Lulla, la lulla, lulla luDaby, 
 My sweet little baby, what meanest thou to cry ? 
 Lo, my little babe, be still, lament no more. 
 From fury shall thou step aside, help have we still in store ; 
 We heavenly warning have, some other soil to seek. 
 From death must fly the Lord of life, as Lamb both mild and 
 
 meek: 
 Thus must my babe obey the king that woidd him kill. 
 Oh wo, and woful heavy day, when wi-etches have their will. 
 
 ^'^ 
 
 &
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Liilla, la lulla, lulla lullaby, 
 My sweet little baby, what meanest thou to cry ? 
 But thou shalt live and reign, as Sybils have foresaid. 
 As all the Prophets prophesy, whose mother, yet a maid, 
 And perfect Virgin pure, with her breasts shall up-breed 
 Both God and man that all hath made, the Son of heavenly seed ; 
 Whom caitiffs none can 'tray, whom tyrants none can kill. 
 Oh joy, and joyful happy day, when wretches want their will. 
 
 A BABE IS BORN. 
 
 This Carol is of the time of Henry VI. The Latin words with which 
 each verse is terminated are the first lines of hymns used in the church 
 service. This mode of writing was very prevalent amongst the mediteval 
 carolists. 
 
 Nowel el el el, now is well 
 That ever was woe. 
 
 BABE is born all of a may,* 
 
 In the salvation of us. 
 To them we sing both night and day, 
 
 Veni Creator Spiritus. 
 
 At Bethlehem that blessed place, 
 The child of bliss born He was, 
 
 Him to serve God give us grace, 
 Lux Beata Trinitas. 
 
 ' maid.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 There came three kings out of the east, 
 To worship the King that is so free, 
 
 With gold and myrrh and frankincense, 
 A soUs ortus cardine. 
 
 The herds heard an Angel cry, 
 A merry song then sung he, 
 
 ^Tiy are ye so sore aghast ? 
 Jam ortus soils cardine. 
 
 P 
 
 The Angel came down with a cry, 
 A fair song then sung he, 
 
 In the worship of that child, 
 Gloria Tihi, Domine. 
 
 ^f^n^ffe 
 
 WHEN CHRIST WAS BORN. 
 
 This Carol (which is of the same description as the last) is preserved in 
 a manuscript written early in the sixteenth century, and now in the 
 British Museum. 
 
 Christo paremus canticam, Excelsis Gloria. 
 
 HEN Christ was born of Mary free, 
 In Bethlehem in that fair city, 
 Angels sang with mu'th and glee. 
 In Excelsis Gloria ! 
 
 u 
 
 m 
 
 ^f
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Herdsmen beheld the Angels bright, 
 To thoni appeared with great light, 
 And said, " God's Son is born this night," 
 In ExceUis Gloria ! 
 
 This King is come to save mankind. 
 As in Scripture we do find. 
 Therefore this song have we in mind, 
 
 In Excehls Gloria ! 
 
 Then, Lord, for Thy great Grace, 
 Grant us the bliss to sec Thy face. 
 Where we may sing to Thy solace, 
 
 In Excelsis Gloria ! 
 
 BE WE MERRY IN THIS FEAST. 
 
 This is a carol of the same kind as the preceding. It was originally 
 printed by Richard Kele in the small volume mentioned in the note on 
 the Carol of the Innocents. 
 
 Be we merry in this feast, 
 III quo Salvator iiatus est. 
 
 N Bethlehem, that noble place. 
 As by prophecy said it was, 
 Of the Virgin Mary, full of grace, 
 Salvator mundi natus est. 
 
 Be we merry, <fcc.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 On Christmas night an Angel it told 
 To the shepherds keeping their fold 
 That in Bethlehem with beasts wolde/ 
 Salvator miindi natus est. 
 
 I3e wc merry, itc. 
 
 The shepherds were compassed right, 
 Al)Out them was a great light, 
 " Dread ye naught," said the Angel bright, 
 " Salvator mnndi natus est.^' 
 
 Be we merry, tfec. 
 
 " Bcbold ! to yon wc bring great joy. 
 For why ? Jesus is born to-day 
 Of Mary, that mild may.'- 
 SaJvator mundi natus est,^' 
 
 Be we merry, A'c. 
 
 ** And thus in faith find it yo ^^hall, 
 
 Lying poorly in an ox's stall." 
 
 The shepherds then lauded God all, 
 
 Quia Salratur mundi natus est. 
 
 Be we merry in this feast, 
 Salvator mundi natus est. 
 
 wikl (?). 
 
 * maid. 
 
 55
 
 THE JOYFUL SOUNDS OF SALVATION. 
 
 Tnis was formerly a favourite Carol in the metropolis, as the numerous 
 copies emanating from the Seven-Dials and Smithfiokl presses prove, but 
 does not seem to have been reprinted of late years. Some of its verses 
 are almost identical with those of the carol " A Virgin most pure." It 
 is now first included in a collection of carols. 
 
 X the reign of great Cjesar, the emp'ror of Rome, 
 The first work of salvation for sinners was done 
 Bj Heaven's decree, — for a Babe then was sent 
 As a ransom for sinners — so let us repent. 
 
 Great Caesar commanded and ordered it so. 
 
 All the world should be taxed, the high and the low ; 
 
 Every one to his city this tax went to pay, 
 
 So strict was this despot in absolute sway. 
 
 Then from Naz'reth to Bethlem in Jewry it was, 
 That Joseph and Mary together did pass ; 
 These two to be taxed with others did go, 
 For Csesar commanded and ordered it so. 
 
 They both having entered the city so fair, 
 Such numbers of people so mighty were there, 
 That Joseph and Mary, their substance being small. 
 Could e;et at the inns no lodging at all.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 So they were constrain'd in a stable to lie, 
 
 \Miere oxen and asses thej used to tie ; 
 
 Although mean their lodging they thought it no scorn 
 
 And early next morning our Saviour was born. 
 
 Then God sent an Angel from heaven so high 
 To certain poor shepherds in fields that did lie, 
 And bade them no longer in soitow to stay. 
 For their blessed Saviour was born on that day. 
 
 And presently after the shepherds did spy 
 A great number of Angels appear in the sky, 
 AMio merrily talked, and sweetly did sing ; 
 All glory to God and their heavenly King. 
 
 He's the Prince of Salvation, so be not afraid ; 
 With this salutation to the shepherds they said, 
 Be ye no longer strangers, for in swaddling clothes 
 The Babe lies in a manger. So the shepherds arose, 
 
 Being resolved together to Bethlehem to go ; 
 And when they came thither they found it was so. 
 So let us be merry in a modei"ate way. 
 Sing praises with homage, and honour the day. 
 
 ^\ 
 
 The great King of Glory to this world being brought, 
 God's love for poor sinners with wonder was wrought : 
 And when they had swaddled our Saviour so sweet. 
 In an ox's manger they laid him to sleep. 
 
 1j) 
 
 67
 
 JiKLIGIOUS CAliOLS. 
 
 At Bethlulntn in .Iinlea tlio slauglifor Wgun 
 ]{y kiiiij llfruil's orders ; to make sure of one, 
 Many tliousaiids of smiling yonng infants were slain 
 To inurder our Saviour was the tyrant's aim. 
 
 Then .Tosejdi, lieing wartit-d ]>\ f iod in a divam, 
 lie arose and took Jesus and Mary with him, 
 Anil tlcil for a season into Kgvpt, wliere 
 The C'liild and its Motlier jireserviil were there. 
 
 God's love to tlie worlil, hist sinners to free, 
 His love's so enduring to hoth thee and me : 
 So let us love eaeli other, to no Iiatred iiRlineil : 
 For Christ died to save all the raee of mankind. 
 
 ■^v^^K^^ 
 
 THE CIIERRY-THEE CAROL. 
 
 This enrol lias long V)cen a favourite with the people, and is met with on 
 broadsides printed in all parts of England. The legend of the cherry- 
 tree is very ancient. The fifteenth of the mysteries represented at 
 Coventry on the feast of Corpus Christi in the fifteenth century, if not 
 earlier, is entitled" The Birth of Christ," and the opening scene repre- 
 sents Joseph and Mary on their way to Bethlehem. JIary, perceiving a 
 cherry-tree, requests her husband to pluck her some of the fruit for which 
 she has a longing. Joseph rudely refuses in much the same terms as in 
 the carol. ^lary prays God to grant her the boon to have of the cherries, 
 and the tree immediately bows down to her. Joseph, seeing this, repents 
 of his jealousy and unkindness, and asks forgiveness. There are many 
 
 58
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 versions of this carol, some with omissions, others with additions, but that 
 now given seemed the must preferable. The latU'r portion, commencing 
 at the verso " As Joseph was a walking," is sometimes given as a separate 
 cand under the title of" Joseph and the Angel." Joseph's advanced 
 nge is mentioned in many ])laces in the Apocryphal New Testament ; 
 as in the Gospel of the birth of Mary, where he is called " a person very 
 far advanced in years," and in the Trotevangelion, where he is repre- 
 senU-d us saying, " 1 am an old man." Hone, who gives a version of this 
 carol, says, " The admiration of my earliest days, for some lines in the 
 Cherry carol still remains, nor can I help thinking that the reader will 
 sec somewhat of cause for it." 
 
 'OSEPII was an okl man. 
 And an uM man wa.s he, 
 And he married Mary 
 The Queen of Galilee. 
 
 ^^'^lcn Joseph was married 
 
 And .Mary home had hroiight, 
 
 Mary proved with child 
 And Joseph knew it not. 
 
 Joseph and Mary walked 
 
 Througli a garden gay, 
 Where the eherries they grew 
 
 Upon every tree, 
 
 () then ber^poke Mary, 
 
 With words both meek and mild, 
 •' O gather me cherries, Joseph, 
 
 They run so in my mind." 
 
 "^^^ 
 
 '■^ 
 
 7^
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 And then replied Joscpli 
 With his words so unkind, 
 
 " Let him gather thee cherries 
 That got thee with cliild." 
 
 O then bespoke our Saviour, 
 All in His mother's womb, 
 
 " Eow down, good cherry-tree. 
 To my mother's hand." 
 
 The uppermost sprig 
 
 Eowed down to Mai-y's knee, 
 '' Thus you may sec, Joseph, 
 
 These cherries are fur me." 
 
 " O eat your cherries, Mary, 
 O eat your cherries now, 
 
 O cat your cherries, Mary, 
 That grow upon the bough." 
 
 As Joseph was a walking 
 He heard an Aiiwl sinnr ; — 
 
 "■ This night shall be born 
 Our Heavenly King ; 
 
 " He neither shall be born 
 
 In housen, nor in hall, 
 Xor in the place of Paradise, 
 But in an ox's stall ;
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 ** He neither shall be clothed 
 
 In purple nor in pall, 
 But all in fair linen, 
 
 As were babies all ; 
 
 " He neither shall be rocked 
 
 In silver nor in gold, 
 But in a wooden cradle. 
 
 That rocks on the mould ; 
 
 " lie neither shall be christened 
 
 In white wine nor red. 
 But with fair spring water 
 
 With which we were christened." 
 
 Then Mary took her young Son, 
 And set bin) on her knee : — 
 
 " I pray thee now, dear child, 
 TeU how this world shall be ? " 
 
 " O, I shall be as dead, Mother, 
 As the stones in the wall ; 
 
 O, the stones in the street, Mother, 
 Shall mourn fur me all. 
 
 *' And upon a Wednesday 
 My vow I will make, 
 
 And upon Good Friday 
 ^Iv death I will take;
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " Upon Easter-day, Mother, 
 
 My rising shall be ; 
 O, the sun and the moon, 
 
 Shall uprise with me." 
 
 The people shall rejoice, 
 
 And the birds they shall sing 
 
 To see the uprising 
 
 Of the Heavenly King. 
 
 "^^^X 
 
 THE MOON SHONE BRIGHT. 
 
 This carol is much in use in the midland and western counties. A 
 shorter version is found on sheets issued by the Seven Dials printers, 
 and likewise on west-country broadsides (on which the present version 
 also appears), under the title of " The Bellman.'' In the Seven Dials 
 copy the fourth line runs, "And hark! the bellman of the night." Both 
 versions have much the appearancg of being what were formerly called? 
 " Bellman's Verses." The functionary known in bygone times as the Bell- 
 man was a kind of night watchman, who, in addition to his staff and lantern, 
 carried a bell, and at a certain period of the year was wont to arouse the 
 slumbering inhabitants of the town to listen to some such effusion as 
 that now printed. For this service (?) he looked for some gratuity at 
 Christmas. Herrick has a little poem called " The Bellman," which 
 takes the form of these nocturnal addresses : — 
 
 " From noise of scare-fires rest ye free, 
 From murders Benedicite ; 
 From all mischances that may fright 
 Your pleasing slumbers in the night 
 Mercy secure ye all, and keep 
 The goblin from ye while ye .sleep. 
 Past one o'clock, and almost two ; 
 My masters all, Good day to you."
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 And we must not forget Milton's mention in his " II Penseroso," of 
 " the belman's drowsy charm 
 To bless the doors from nightly harm." 
 
 In a scarce and curious tract, first published in 1608, by Thomas 
 Dekker, the dramatist and satirist, under the title of " The Belman of 
 London, bringing to light the most notorious villanies that are now 
 practised in the kingdome," there is a woodcut engraving representing a 
 Bellman of the period going his rounds, who carries a staff, lantern, and 
 bell, and is followed by his dog. 
 
 One of the verses of Shakespeare's song, " It was a lover and his lass " 
 (sung by the two pages in "As you like it"), runs thus : — 
 
 " This Carroll they began that houre 
 
 With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino ; 
 How that a life was but a flower 
 In spring time," &c. 
 
 which may possibly allude to the present carol, or to some other con- 
 taining a passage similar to the sixth verse of this. 
 
 Several lines of this carol are iHcorporated into a Blayers' Song, sung 
 in Hertfordshire, a copy of which is given in Hone's " Every-day Book," 
 vul. i. col. 567, and some lines are also found in another version of the 
 same song, which continues in use in Huntingdonshire, a copy of which 
 may be seen iu " Notes and Queries," 3rd series, i.x.. 388. 
 
 %Z.-^ ^I2:zvl HE moon shone bright 
 
 And the stars gave a light 
 A little before it was clay. 
 The Lord our God he call'd on us 
 And bade us awake and praj. 
 
 Awake, awake, good people all, 
 
 Awake and you shall hear, 
 The Lord our God died on the cross, 
 
 For us whom He loved so dear. 
 
 'M 
 
 <P\ 
 
 t^ 
 
 f 
 
 ^B^ 
 ^v^
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 O fair, O fair Jerusalem, 
 
 WTien shall we come to thee ? 
 
 "NMien shall our sorrows have an end. 
 Thy joy that we may see ? 
 
 The fields were green as green could be, 
 When from His glorious seat 
 
 Our blessed Father watered us. 
 With His heavenly dew so sweet. 
 
 And for the saving of our souls 
 Christ died upon the Cross ; 
 
 We ne'er shall do for Jesus Christ 
 As He has done for us. 
 
 The life of man is but a span, 
 
 And cut down in its flower, 
 We are here to-day, to-morrow gone, 
 
 The creatures of an hour. 
 
 Instruct and teach your children well, 
 The while that you are here ; 
 
 It will be better for your soul 
 
 When your corpse lies on the bier. 
 
 To-day you may be alive and well. 
 Worth many a thousand pound, 
 
 To-morrow dead and cold as clay, 
 Your corpse laid under gromid.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 With one turf at your head, O man, 
 
 And another at your feet. 
 Thy good deeds and thy bad, O man, 
 
 Will altogether meet. 
 
 My song is done, I must begone, 
 
 I can stay no longer here, 
 God bless you all, both great and small. 
 
 And send you a joyful new year !■ 
 
 COME REJOICE, ALL GOOD CHRISTIANS. 
 
 Tins carol is believed to be of some antiquity. It is still reprinted in 
 the broadsides issued at Christmas. The burden is nearly the same, it 
 will be observed, as that of the West country carol, "A Virgin most 
 pure," and possibly the present carol had its birth in the same part of 
 the country. 
 
 OME rejoice, all good Christians, 
 And rejoice now, I pray, 
 For joy our Redeemer 
 ^^'as born on this day. 
 In the city of David, 
 
 At a cottage so poor : 
 Then rejoice and be you merry, 
 We have blessings in store. 
 
 And therefore be you merry. 
 Rejoice and be you merry. 
 
 Set sorrows away, 
 Christ Jesus, our Saviour, 
 Was born on this day.
 
 BELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Our Lord He was born 
 
 Of a Virgin most pure. 
 Within a poor stable 
 
 Botb safe and secure ; 
 He was guarded most safely 
 
 With Angels so bi'ight, 
 Who told three poor Shepherds 
 
 Those things in the night. 
 And therefore, &c. 
 
 They said, " Be not fearful, 
 
 But to Bethlehem go ; 
 Then rejoice and be cheerful 
 
 For 'tis certainly so : 
 For a young son to Joseph 
 
 Is in Bethlehem born, 
 Then rejoice, all good Christians, 
 
 And cease for to mourn." 
 And therefore, &c. 
 
 And when those three Shepherds 
 
 Did to Bethlehem come, 
 And arrived at the stable, 
 
 Then in they did run. 
 Where they found blessed Mary 
 
 With Jesus her Son ; 
 There they found our Lord sleeping, 
 
 And thus they begun. 
 
 And therefore, (fee.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 With the sweetest Hallelujah 
 
 The Heavens did rejoice, 
 With the Saints and the Angels, 
 
 And all with sweet voice, 
 Crying, " Glory and honour 
 
 To our Heavenly king !" 
 In the clouds of the an- 
 
 Then this Host they did sing. 
 And therefore, «fec. 
 
 Then well may we Christians, 
 
 That dwell on the earth, 
 Rejoice and be glad 
 
 For sweet Jesus his birth, 
 AMio brought us salvation. 
 
 If we mind but the same : 
 Then let all in the nation 
 
 Sing praise to His Name. 
 And therefore, &c. 
 
 With true zeal and honour 
 
 Let us joyfuUy sing. 
 In praise of our salvation, ' 
 
 To our Heavenly King : 
 To our Heavenly Father, 
 
 That remaineth above, 
 And to our dear Saviour, 
 
 That redeem'd us with love. 
 And therefore, »fcc.
 
 
 f^\ 
 
 THE ANGEL GABRIEL. 
 
 This carol is much used in the Western counties, and it is to its 
 popularity, rather than its literary merit, that it is indebted for its place 
 in this collection. The line in the second stanza, " As the lot fell unto 
 me," alludes to the manner in which Joseph was miraculously pointed 
 out as the husband of the Virgin by a flower budding forth from his 
 rod and the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove, descending thereon, as 
 related in the Apocryphal Gospel of the Bii-th of Mary. This cir- 
 cumstance is introduced into the tenth of the Coventry Mysteries, 
 '' Mary's Betrothment." 
 
 HE Angel Gabriel from God 
 Was sent to Galilee, 
 Unto a Virgin fair and free, 
 Whose name was called Mary, 
 And when the Angel thither came, 
 
 He fell down on his knee. 
 And looking up in the Virgin's face, 
 He said, "All hail, Mary!" 
 
 Then, sing we all, both great and small, 
 
 Noel, Noel, Noel ; 
 We may rejoice to hear the voice 
 Of the Angel Gabriel. 
 
 Mary anon looked him upon, 
 And said, '' Sir, what are ye?
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 I marvel mucli at these tidings 
 Which thou hast brought to me. 
 
 Married I am unto an old man, 
 As the lot fell unto me ; 
 
 Therefore I pray depart away, 
 For I stand in doubt of thee." 
 Then, sing, &c. 
 
 *'Mary," he said, " be not afraid. 
 
 But do believe in me : 
 The power of the Holy Ghost 
 
 Shall overshadow thee ; 
 Thou shalt conceive without any grief, 
 
 As the Lord told unto me ; 
 God's own dear Son from Heaven shall come, 
 
 And shall be born of thee." 
 
 Then, sing, cfec. 
 
 This came to pass as God's will was, 
 
 Even as the Angel told. 
 About midnight an Angel bright 
 
 Came to the Shepherds' fold, 
 And told them then both where and when 
 
 Born was the child, our Lord, 
 And all along this was their song, 
 
 "All glory be given to God." 
 
 Then, sing, &e. 
 
 Good people all, both great and small, 
 The which do hear my voice, 
 
 69
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 With one accord let's praise the Lord, 
 
 And in our hearts rejoice ; 
 Like sister and brother, let's love one another 
 
 Whilst we our lives do spend, 
 Whilst we have space let's pray for grace, 
 
 And so let my Carol end. 
 
 Then, sing', &c. 
 
 THE BABE OF BETHLEHEM. 
 
 This is a carol which has attained a considerable degree of popularity ; 
 yet it is, notwithstanding, one of the feeblest and pooi-ost so distinguished. 
 It is one of those productions which finds favour with the managers of 
 the (so-called) religious societies, who include it in their collections and 
 on their sheets, a circumstance to be lamented, as they might surely find 
 better productions than this for dissemination. But for its long-con- 
 tinued popularity it would not have been accorded a place in this collec- 
 tion. The versions of the societies have a kind of varying refrain, which 
 is not found in the copy whence the present is taken, and which it has 
 not been thought necessary to reproduce here. 
 
 OME, behold the Virgin Mother, 
 Fondly leaning on her child, 
 Nature shows not such another. 
 Glorious, holy, meek and mild : 
 Bethlehem's ancient walls inclose Him, 
 
 Dwelling place of David once ; 
 Now no friendly homestead knows Him, 
 Tho' the noblest of his sons. 
 
 70
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Many a prophecy before Him 
 
 Published His bright advent long, 
 Guardian Angels low adoi-e Him 
 
 In a joyous heavenly song ; 
 Eastern Sages see with wonder 
 
 His bright star illume the sky, 
 O'er the volumes old they ponder, 
 
 Volumes of dark prophecy. 
 
 Eoyal Bethlehem how dcseited, 
 
 All its pomp and splendour lost ; 
 Is a stable, vile and dirty, 
 
 All the welcome you can boast ? 
 Far they travel, oft inquiring 
 
 Where the wondrous Eabe is born : 
 On they come with great desiring, 
 
 Although others treat with scorn. 
 
 Sec, a Babe of days and weakness 
 
 Heaven's Almighty now appears, 
 Liable to death and sickness. 
 
 Shame and agony and teai-s. 
 Sovereign He, and great Creator, 
 
 He who form'd the heav'ns and earth 
 Yet takes on Him human nature. 
 
 Angels wonder at His birth. 
 
 "VMiy, ah, why this condescension, 
 God with mortal man to dwell ? 
 
 71
 
 BELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Why lay by His grand pretension, 
 He who does all thrones excel ? 
 
 'Tis to be a man, a brother, 
 With us sinners of mankind : 
 
 Vain we search for such another, 
 Ne'er we love like this shall find. 
 
 'Tis to make Himself an otfering 
 
 As a pm-e atoning lamb, 
 Souls redeeming by Ilis suffering, 
 
 That in human flesh He came ; 
 As a God He could not suffer, 
 
 He a body true must have ; 
 As a man what He might offer 
 
 Could not satisfy or save. 
 
 Tho' an infant now you view Him, 
 
 He shall fill His Father's throne, 
 Gather all the Nations to Him ; 
 
 Every knee shall then bow down : 
 Foes shall at His presence tremble. 
 
 Great and small, and quick and dead, 
 None can fly, none dare dissemble. 
 
 None find where to hide his head. 
 
 Friends ! Oh then in cheerful voices 
 They shall shout with glad acclaim, 
 
 While each rising saint rejoices. 
 Saints of high or lowest fame. 
 
 72
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Then what different appearing 
 
 We 'mong mortal tribes shall find ; 
 
 Groaning those who now are sneering, 
 Triumphing the humble mind. 
 
 May we now, that day forestalling. 
 
 Hear the word, and read and pray, 
 Listen to the Gospel calling, 
 
 And with humble heart obey. 
 Give us hearty true repentance. 
 
 Live in faith and holiness ; 
 Then we need not fear Thy sentence. 
 
 But may trust Thy saving grace, 
 
 Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, 
 Praise the Lord. 
 
 JOY TO THE WORLD. 
 
 This is a carol which is greatly admired in Devonshire and Cornwall, 
 and obtains a place in many a collection of sheet carols printed in the 
 West. It is certainly a hundred and fifty years of age, and may be even 
 older. The first two lines are identical with those of a hymn by Isaac 
 AVatts, produced about 1709, of which the third and fourth lines are— 
 
 " Let every heart prepare Him room, 
 And heaven and nature sing ;"
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 but the remainder is entirely different. Perhaps the popularity of Watts's 
 verses may have tempted the carolist to commit a little plagiarism. 
 
 OY to the world, the Lord is come, 
 Let earth receive her King ; 
 Let every tongue with sacred mirth 
 His loud applauses sing. 
 
 Hark, hark, what news, what joyful news, 
 
 To all the nations round ; 
 To-day rejoice, a King is born. 
 
 Who is with glory crown'd. 
 
 Behold ! He comes, the tidings spread, 
 
 A Saviour full of grace : 
 He conies, in mercy, to restore 
 
 A sinful, fallen race. 
 
 HARK! ALL AROUND THE WELKIN RINGS. 
 
 This is a West of England carol. It was inchuled by Davies Gilbert in 
 the second edition of his collection of Ancient Christmas Carols (1823), 
 and is still to be found on the common broadsides. 
 
 ARK ! all around the welkin rings, 
 Bright scraj)hs hail the morn 
 That ushers in the King of Kings, 
 That sees a Saviour born. 
 
 74
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Ye people on earth, your voices now raise, 
 To Christ our Eedeemer, in carols of praise, 
 Hallelujah ! praise the Lord, Hallelujah ! 
 
 The shining heralds from on high 
 
 These joyful tidings bear 
 With acclamations down the sky. 
 
 And humble shepherds hear. 
 
 " Glory to God, and peace to men," 
 
 The heavenly choir did sing ; 
 Let earth repeat the sound again, 
 
 And hail the new-born King. 
 
 This is the day our Lord did choose 
 
 To visit mortal man ; 
 And from the bands of sin to loose 
 
 All those that trust in Him. 
 
 Lord Jesus, let Thy kingdom spread 
 
 Through all the earth below ; 
 Let every land Thy wonders read, 
 
 And Thy salvation know. 
 
 Hosanna ! let all earth and heaven 
 
 Salute the happy morn ; 
 To-day the promis'd Child is given. 
 
 And God Himself is born. 
 
 75
 
 MORTALS, AWAKE, WITH ANGELS JOIN. 
 
 Tins is found on the West-coiintry broadsides with sufficient frequency 
 to indicatfl a large share of popularity. It seems a comparatively 
 modern production, and probably owes its birth to some of the hymn- 
 writers of the last century. The broadside printers place the fifth 
 verse between brackets, possibly to indicate its being an addition to 
 the original carol. 
 
 ORTALS, awake, with xViigcls join, 
 And cliant the solemn lay ; 
 Joy, love, and gratitude combine 
 To hail the auspicious day. 
 
 In Heaven the rapturous song began. 
 
 And sweet serajihic fire 
 Through all the shining legions ran, 
 
 And strung and tun'd the lyre. 
 
 Swift through the vast expanse it flew. 
 
 And loud the echo roU'd ; 
 The theme, the song, the joy was new, 
 
 'Twas more than heaven could hold. 
 
 Down thro' the portals of the sky 
 Til' impetuous torrent ran ; 
 
 And Angels flew with eager joy 
 To bear the news to man. 
 
 76
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 [Wrapt in the silence of the night 
 
 Lay all the eastern world, 
 When bursting, glorious, heavenly light 
 
 The wondrous scene unfiuTd.] 
 
 I lark 1 the Cherubic armies shout, 
 
 And glory leads the song; 
 Good will and peace are heai'd throughout 
 
 Th' harmonious heavenly throng. 
 
 O for a glance of heavenly love 
 Our hearts and songs to raise, 
 
 Sweetly to bear our souls above, 
 And mingle with their lays ! 
 
 With joy the chorus we'll repeat, 
 
 '' Glory to God on high ! 
 Good-will and peace arc now complete ; 
 
 Jesus was born to die." 
 
 Hail, Prince of Life '. for ever hail '. 
 
 Redeemer, brother, friend ! 
 Tho' earth, and time, and life should fail. 
 
 Thy praise shall never end.
 
 A CAROL FOR NEW-YEAR'S DAY. 
 
 This carol is contained, under the above title, in the scarce musical 
 work called " Psalmes, Songs, and Sonnets : Some solemne, others 
 ioyfuU, framed to the life of the Words ; Fit for Voyces or Viols of 
 3, 4, 5, and 6 parts. Composed by William Byrd, one of the Gent, 
 of his Maiesties honourable Chappell." London, 1611. It is now given 
 from a copy of that work in the library of the Sacred Harmonic 
 Society, and is believed never to have been included in any previous 
 collection of carols 
 
 GOD, that guides the cheerful sun 
 
 By motions strange the year to frame, 
 Which now, returned whence it begun, 
 From heaven extols Thy glorious Name, 
 This New-year's season sanctify, 
 
 With double blessings of Thy store, 
 That graces new may multiply, 
 
 And former follies reign no more. 
 So shall our hearts with heaven agree, 
 And both give laud and praise to Thee. Amen. 
 
 Th' old year by com-se is past and gone, 
 
 Old Adam, Lord, from us expel : 
 New creatures make us every one. 
 
 New life becomes the New year well. 
 As new born babes from malice keep. 
 
 New wedding garments, O Christ, we crave ; 
 
 78
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 That we Thy face in heaven may see 
 
 With Angels bright our souls to save. 
 So shall our hearts with heaven agree, 
 And both give laud and praise to Thee. Amen. 
 
 THE THREE KINGS. 
 
 A CAROL FOR THE EPIPHANY. 
 
 This carol is found in a manuscript of the time of Henry VII, now 
 amongst the Harleian manuscripts in the British Museum. Another 
 manuscript in the same collection contains the legend of the Three 
 Kings; and from this we learn that they were Melchior, King of Nubia 
 and Arabia, who offered to the Saviour gold, and who is described as 
 the least of stature and of person ; Baltazar, King of Godoly and of 
 Saba, who offered incense, and was of mean stature in his person; and 
 Jasper, who was King of Taars (or Tharsis) and of (the isle of) Egrip- 
 wille, who offered myrrh, and was " most in person, and was a black 
 Eihiop." Thus was fulfilled the rsalmist's prophecy, "The Kings of 
 Tharsis and of the Isles shall bring presents ; the Kings of Arabia and 
 Saba shall bring gifts." They were afterwards baptized by St. I'homas 
 the Apostle, and long after their deaths, thtir bodies were conveyed by 
 the Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, to Constan- 
 tinople, whence they were removed to Milan, and ultimately by Renatus, 
 or Keincild, Archbishop of Cologne, to the latter city, where they re- 
 main, and whence they have acquired the title of the Three Kings of 
 Cologne. 
 
 OW is Christmas i-come, 
 Father and Son together in One, 
 Holy Ghost as ye be One, 
 In fere -a 
 
 God send us a good new year-a.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 I would now sing, for and I miglit, 
 
 Of a Child is fair to sight ; 
 
 His mother Plim bare this cnders' night, 
 
 So still -a ; 
 And as it was His will-a. 
 
 (p) 
 
 ^f^ 
 
 There came three kings from Galilee, 
 To Bethlehem, that fair citie. 
 To see Him that should ever be 
 
 By right-a ; 
 Lord, and king, and knight-a. 
 
 As they came forth with their ofFoiing, 
 They met with Herod, that moody king 
 He asked them of their coming 
 
 This tide a ; 
 And thus to them he said-a : — 
 
 v« 
 
 " Of whence be ye, you kings three ? " 
 " Of the East, as you may see, 
 To seek Him that should ever he 
 
 By right-a ; 
 Lord, and king, and knight-a." 
 
 r 
 
 " \Mien you to this Child have been. 
 Come you home this way again, 
 Tell me the sights that ye have seen, 
 
 I pray-a ; 
 Go not another way-a." 
 
 ' last.
 
 EELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 They took their leave both old and young, 
 Of Horod, that moody king ; 
 They went forth with their offering, 
 
 By light-a 
 Of the star that shone so bright-a. 
 
 Till they came into the place 
 Where Jesus and his mother was. 
 There they oflfered with great solace 
 
 In fere- a ; 
 Gold, incense, and myrrh-a. 
 
 When they had their offering made, 
 As the Holy Ghost them hade, 
 Then were they both meriy and glad 
 
 And hght-a ; 
 It was a good fair sight-a. 
 
 Anon, as on their way they went, 
 The Father of heaven an Angel sent, 
 To those three kings that made present, 
 
 That day-a, 
 Who thus to them did say-a : — 
 
 " My Lord hath warned you every one, 
 By Herod king ye go not home. 
 For an you do, he will you slone* 
 
 And strj-e-a," 
 And hurt you wonderly-a." 
 
 ' slay. 
 
 stay,
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 So forth they went another way, 
 Through the might of God, His lay* 
 As the Angel to them did say, 
 
 Full right-a. 
 It was a good fair sight-a. 
 
 When they were come to tlicir countree. 
 Merry and glad they were all three, 
 Of the sight that they had sec 
 
 By night-a ; 
 By the star's shining light -a. 
 
 Kneel we now all here adown 
 To that Lord of great renown. 
 And pray we in good devotion 
 
 For grace-a, 
 In Heaven to liave a place -a. 
 
 A CAROL FOR THE EPIPHANY. 
 
 This is a well-known, although it cannot be styled a popular, carol, since, 
 although it is included in every collection of carols, it is not found in any 
 broadside that has fallen under notice, nor is it contained in Hone's list of 
 such productions. It probably first appeared in Davies Gilbert's collec- 
 tion of Carols sung in the West of England ; and next in Mr. Sandys's 
 collection, where it is also given as a West-country carol, " for Christmas 
 day in the morning." Mr. Sandys observes, in reference to the number 
 
 law.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 of the shepherds, that " according to some legends the number was four, 
 —called Misael, Achael, Cyriacus, and Stephanus, and these, with the 
 names of the three kings, were used as a charm to cure the biting of 
 serpents and other venomous reptiles and beasts. In the seventh of the 
 Chester Mysteries, the shepherds, who are there but three, have the 
 more homely names of Harvey, Trowle, and Tudd, and are Cheshire or 
 Lancashire boors by birth and habits." Mr. Sandys is not quite accurate 
 in the latter part of this statement. The shepherds in the Chester play 
 to which he refers—" The Play of the Shepherds "—are four in number, 
 who are severally designated as Primus, Secundus, and Tercius Pastor; 
 but whose names appear from the dialogue to be Hancken, Harvey, and 
 Tudd ; and Trowle, who is a distinct person, always mentioned by name. 
 
 FIE first jS^oel the Angel did say, 
 AVa.s to three poor Shepherds in fields as they lay ; 
 111 fields where they lay keeping their sheep 
 In a cold winter's night that was so deep.^ 
 
 ISToel, Noel, Noel, Noel, 
 Born is the King of Israel. 
 
 They looked up and saw a Star 
 Shining in the East beyond them far, 
 And to the earth it gave great light, 
 And so continued both day and night. 
 
 Noel, tfec. 
 
 And by the light of that same Star, 
 Three Wise Men came from countries far ; 
 To seek for a king was their intent, 
 And to follow the Star wherever it went. 
 
 Xoel, »fec. 
 
 ' This is the reading of every known copy, but it should probably be — 
 " In a cold winter's night when the snow was so deep."
 
 BELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 This Star drew nigh to the North West, 
 O'er Bethlehem it took it's rest, 
 And there it did both stop and stay 
 Eight over the place wlicre Jesus lay. 
 
 Noel, <tc. 
 
 Then did they know assuredly 
 
 Within that house the King did lie : 
 
 One entered in then for to see, 
 
 But found the Babe in poverty. 
 
 Noel, &c. 
 
 Tlien enter'd all the Wise Men three 
 Most reverently upon their knee, 
 And offer'd there in His presence. 
 Both ffold, and mvrrh, and frankincense. 
 
 Noel, &e. 
 
 Between an ox-stall and an ass. 
 This Child there truly born He was ; 
 For want of clothing they did Him lay 
 All in the manger among the hay. 
 
 Noel, &c. 
 
 Now let us all with one accord 
 Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, 
 Tliat did make heaven and earth of nought, 
 But with His blood mankind hath bought. 
 
 Noel, (fcc. 
 
 If we in our time shall do well, 
 
 We shall be free from death and hell ; 
 
 84
 
 BELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 God hath prepared for us all, 
 
 A resting place in general. 
 
 N'oijl, Xoel, Noel, Noel, 
 Born is the King of Israel. 
 
 THE HOLLY AND THE IVY. 
 
 This carol appears to have nearly escaped the notice of collectors, as it- 
 has been reprinted by one alone, who states his copy to have been taken 
 from " an old broadside, printed a century and a half since," i. e. about 
 1710 It is stm retained on the broadsheets printed at Birmingham. 
 It is possible that it is an ancient carol. The praise of the holly and ivy 
 ^-as a favourite subject with the medieval carolists. The epithet 
 " merry" is applied to the organ by Chaucer, in his Canterbury Tales, 
 where, in a description of the possessions of a poor widow, the Nun's 
 Priest is made to say : — 
 
 " She had a cock, hight Chaunticleer, 
 In all the land «5f crowing was none his peer : 
 His voice was merrier than the mern/ organ 
 On mass days that in the church goon." 
 But later writers almost invariably speak of the instrument in very dif- 
 ferent terms :-we have the " pealing organ" of IMilton; the - sacred 
 or-an" of Dryden ; the " deep" organ's " majestic sound" of Congreve ; 
 the « deep-mouth'd organ" of Hughes ; and « the deep, majestic, solemn, 
 organs" of Pope. 
 
 HE holly and the ivy 
 
 Now are both well grown, 
 Of all the trees that are in the wood 
 The holly bears the crown.
 
 11ELIGI0U8 CAROLS. 
 
 CJiorus. 
 The rising of the sun, 
 
 The running of the deer, 
 The playing of the merry organ, 
 
 The singing in the choir. 
 
 The liolly bears a blossom 
 
 As white as any flower, 
 And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ 
 
 To be our sweet Saviour. 
 
 The liolly bears a bei'ry 
 
 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 TWELVE GOOD JOYS OF MARY. 
 
 This is one of the most popular of carols. The earliest known version 
 is in a manuscript of the fourteenth century, where it is entitled 
 " Joyes Fyve." The version called " The Seven Joys " (the first seven 
 verses of that here given) is, and has been for a very long time past, 
 annually reprinted by the printers of carol-sheets throughout the entire 
 length and breadth of the land. The unfortunate poet's difficulty of 
 finding a rhyme for "one " in the first verse has led him to use a rather 
 singular expression ; but we may be certain nothing irreverent was in- 
 tended, and the text as it stands, homely though it be, appeals to the 
 human heart much more forcibly than some modern alterations of it, 
 such as, 
 
 " To see our blessed Saviour 
 Sit upon the throne ; " 
 
 which, apart from the impropriety of making the sight of her holy Son 
 in His glory, the Jirst of the blessed Virgin's joys, puts wholly aside the 
 incident which, if not all men, certainly all women, must admit naturally 
 caused the Holy Mother her greatest happiness. The extension of the 
 Seven joys to Twelve is confined to the northern parts of the country, 
 being only found on broadsides printed at Newcastle late in the last, or 
 early in the present century. In the present version the first seven verses 
 are given from the older and most generally followed copies, the New- 
 castle version, whence the last five verses are taken, having corrupted 
 the former portion of the carol to a very great extent. In its extended 
 form the carol has never yet been given in any collection.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 HE first good joy our Mary bad, 
 It was tlie joy of one, 
 To see her own Son Jesus 
 To suck at her breast bone ; 
 To suck at her breast bone. 
 
 Good man, and blessed may he be, 
 Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
 To all eternity. 
 
 The next good joy our 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 man, (fee. 
 
 The next good joy our ]\Iary 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 man, &c. 
 
 The next good joy our 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 man, (fee.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS, 
 
 The next good joy our Mary had, 
 
 It was the joy of five, 
 To see her own son Jesus 
 
 To raise the dead aHve ; 
 To raise the dead ahve, 
 
 Good man, &c. 
 
 Tlie next good joy our Mary had, 
 
 It was the joy of six, 
 To see her own Son Jesus 
 
 To wear the cnieifix ; 
 To wear the crucifix, 
 
 Good man, ifce. 
 
 The next good joy our Mary had. 
 It was the joy of seven, 
 
 To see her own Son Jesus 
 
 To wear the crown of Heaven ; 
 
 To wear the crown of Heaven, 
 Good man, (fee. 
 
 The next good joy our Mary had, 
 
 It was the joy of eight. 
 To see our blessed Saviour 
 
 Turn darkness into light ; 
 Turn darkness into light. 
 Good man, &c. 
 
 The next good joy our Mary had. 
 It was the joy of nine. 
 
 ^
 
 EELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 To see our blessed Saviour 
 
 Turn water into wine ; 
 Turn water into wine, 
 
 Good man, &c. 
 
 The next good joy our Mary had. 
 
 It was the joy of ten. 
 To see our blessed Saviour 
 
 Write without a pen ; 
 Write without a pen. 
 
 Good man, &c. 
 
 The next good joy our Marj' had^ 
 It was the joy of eleven, 
 
 To see our blessed Saviour 
 Shew the gates of Heaven ; 
 
 Shew the gates of Heaven, 
 Good man, &c. 
 
 The next good joy our Mary had. 
 
 It was the joy of twelve, 
 To see our blessed Saviour 
 
 Shut close the gates of hell ; 
 Shut close the gates of hell, 
 
 Good man, and blessed may he be, 
 Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
 To all eternity. 
 
 Mf 
 
 90
 
 THE HOLY WELL. 
 
 The broadside printers almost invariably describe this as "A Very 
 Ancient Carol," and in so doing they are, unquestionably, not far 
 wrung. The legend dates back, no doubt, to Pre-Keformation times, 
 when such tales were invented by the priests to satisfy the cravings 
 of the common people for more detailed particulars of the life of our 
 Blessed Lord than the Holy Scriptures afforded ; but the composition of 
 the carol may be ascribed, with reasonable probability, to the latter half 
 of the sixteenth century, to the ballads of which period it bears a strong 
 resemblance in point of style. The carol is now printed from a sheet 
 copy published during the last century, on which it is described as " A 
 Carol on Christ's Humility to Sinners." There are some touches in 
 this carol which point out with remarkable clearness the class of persons 
 to whom it was addressed ; such, for instance, as the coupling with the 
 permission to the Child to go to play the injunction to " behave " Him- 
 self; the pride of the " lords' and ladies' sons," and the wounded feelings 
 of the Boy at their haughty rejection of His offer. The carol has a 
 widely spread popularity. On a broadside copy printed at Gravesend 
 there is placed immediately under the title a woodcut purporting to be 
 a representation of "The Site of the Holy Well, Palestine;" but the 
 admiration excited thereby for the excellent good taste of the printer 
 is too soon, alas ! dispelled, for between the second and third stanzas we 
 see another woodcut representing a feather clad and crowned negro seated 
 on a barrel smoking;— a veritable ornament of a tobacconist's paper. 
 One almost wonders at the omission of the usual accompanying conun- 
 drum. 
 
 S it fell out one May morning, 
 And upon a bright holiday, 
 Sweet Jesus asked of His dear Mother, 
 If He might go to play. 

 
 Qi 
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go, 
 And to play now 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. 
 
 )i,^ 
 
 And he said, '' God hless you every one. 
 And your bodies Clu-ist 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 was but a maiden's child, 
 Born in an ox's stall. 
 
 Sweet Jesus turned him round about, 
 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 round about, 
 To His Mother dear home went He, 
 And said, " I have been in yonder town, 
 As after you may see. 
 
 92
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 '^ I have been down in yonder town, 
 As far as the Holy Well ; 
 And there did I meet with as fine children 
 As any tongue can tell. 
 
 "■ And I bid God bless them every one, 
 And their bodies Clu'ist save and see ; 
 Little children, shall I play with you ? 
 And you shall play with Me. 
 
 '' But then they answered Me, ' No,' 
 They were lords' and ladies' sons ; 
 And I 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. 
 
 " Sweet Jesus, go down into yonder town, 
 And as far as the Holy Well, 
 And take away those sinful souls. 
 And dip them deep in hell." 
 
 " JSTay, nay," sweet Jesus mildly said, 
 "Nay, nay, that may not be, 
 For there are too many sinful souls 
 Crying out for the help of Me."
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 O then spoke the Angel Gabriel, 
 Upon one snre set steven/ 
 " Although jou are but a maiden's child, 
 You are the King of Heaven." 
 
 DIVES AND LAZARUS. 
 
 This carol is included in Hone's list of carols in his possession which 
 were in use at the period he wrote — 1 822 ; but it was never printed in 
 any collection until 1860. Hone speaks of the ludicrous effect produced 
 by the thirteenth verse, " when the metre of the last line is solemnly 
 drawn out to its utmost length by a Warwickshire chanter, and as 
 solemnly listened to by the well-disposed crowd, who seem, without diffi- 
 culty, to believe that Dives sits on a serpent's A«ee." " The idea of sitting 
 on the knee," he adds, " was perhaps conveyed to the poet''s mind by old 
 woodcut representations of Lazarus seated in Abraham's lap. More 
 anciently, Abraham was frequently dravni holding him up by the sides, 
 to be seen by Dives in hell. In an old book [Postilla Guillermi, 4to. 
 Basil, 1491] they are so represented, with the addition of a devil blowing 
 the fire under Dives with a pair of bellows." The idea may have been 
 conveyed to the writer's mind as Hone suggests, or it may be that the 
 serpent^s knee was only thought of as antithetical to the AngeVs knee 
 on which Lazarus was to rest. The carol is now given from a sheet 
 copy printed at Worcester in the last century. The composition is much 
 in the style of a sixteenth century ballad, but the last verse conveys an 
 idea of greater antiquity, as it seems to give expression to the opinion 
 that the devotion of worldly goods to pious or charitable uses sufficed to 
 avert future punishment. There can be little, if any, doubt of this being 
 the piece referred to in Fletcher's comedy of " Monsieur Thomas," where 
 a fiddler is introduced, enumerating the songs he can sing, amongst 
 which is " the merry ballad of Dives and Lazarus." 
 
 ' appointed time.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 S it fell out upon a day, 
 Eich Dives made a feast, 
 And lie invited all bis guests, 
 And gentry of the best. 
 
 Tben Lazarus laid bim down, and down. 
 
 And down at Dives's door, 
 " Some meat, some di-ink, brotber Dives, 
 
 Bestow upon tbe poor." 
 
 " Thou art none of my brotber, Lazarus, 
 That lies begging at my door^ 
 
 No meat nor drink will I give thee, 
 Nor bestow upon the poor." 
 
 Then Lazarus laid him down, and down. 
 
 And down at Dives's wall, 
 " Some meat, some di-ink, brother Dives, 
 
 Or with himger starve I shall." 
 
 " Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus, 
 That lies begging at my wall. 
 
 No meat nor drink will I give thee. 
 But with hunger starve you shall." 
 
 Then Lazarus laid him down, and down. 
 
 And down at Dives's gate, 
 " Some meat, some drink, brother Dives, 
 
 For Jesus Christ His sake."
 
 RELTOIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus, 
 That lies begging at my gate, 
 
 No meat nor drink I'll give to thee. 
 For Jesus Chiist His sake." 
 
 Then Dives sent out his merry men 
 To whip poor Lazarus away, 
 
 But they had no power to strike a stroke, 
 And flung their whips away. 
 
 Then Dives sent out his hungry dogs 
 
 To bite him as he lay. 
 But they had no power to bite at all, 
 
 So licked his sores away. 
 
 As it fell out upon a day. 
 
 Poor Lazarus sickened and died, 
 
 There came an Angel out of heaven, 
 His soul there for to guide. 
 
 " Kise up, rise up, brother Lazarus, 
 
 And come alu^.^," with me. 
 For there's a place in heaven provided 
 
 To sit on an Angel's knee." 
 
 As it fell out upon a day, 
 
 Rich Dives sickened and died, 
 
 There came a serpent out of hell, 
 His soul there for to guide.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " Else up, rise up, brother Dives, 
 
 And come along with me, 
 For there's a place in hell provided 
 
 To sit on a serpent's knee." 
 
 Then Dives, lifting his eyes to heaven. 
 And seeing poor Lazarus blest, 
 
 " Give me a drop of water, brother Lazarus, 
 To quench my flaming thirst. 
 
 " Oh ! had I as many years to abide. 
 
 As there are blades of grass, 
 Then there would be an ending day ; 
 
 But in hell I must ever last. 
 
 " Oh ! was I now but alive again. 
 For the space of one half hour, 
 
 I would make my will and then secure 
 That the devil should have no power." 
 
 THE CARNAL AND THE CRANE. 
 
 Although no copies of this carol of an eai-lier date than the middle of 
 the last century ha\e been met with, there is sufficient internal evidence 
 to prove that it is of considerable age. The Crane has long ceased to 
 be a visitant to this country, although formerly it abounded here, and 
 was highly prized as a table dainty on account of the savour and delicacy 
 of its flesh. At the inthronization of George Nevell, Archbishop of 
 York, in the reign of Edward IV, no fewer than 204 cranes were brought 
 to table. In the " Northumberland Household Book," 1512, one of the 
 regulations concerning the purveyance of provisions runs thus : — "It is
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 thought that Cranys muste be hadde at Crystynmas and other principal 
 Feestes for my Lordes own Mees so they be bought at xvjd a pece." 
 Legislative attempts were made in the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward 
 VI to preserve these birds by the imposition of a penalty of 20d. for 
 every crane's egg taken and destroyed. The crane chiefly frequented 
 the fenlands of Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, and it is probably to 
 the drainage and inclosure of those lands that the present absence of the 
 bird from England is to be attributed. Thus much for the Crane ;— but 
 what was the Carnal ? The word is not to be found in any dictionary 
 of old and obsolete words which has been consulted ; neither does it 
 occur in any other composition than this carol. Hone, in noticing this 
 carol, says merely, " The Carnal is a bird." It may possibly, having 
 regard to the place and company in which it is found, be considered as 
 a not too far-fetched conjecture, to suppose it to have been one of those 
 river-birds, such as the heron or stork, which feed on flesh as well as 
 fish, and which, from such flesh-eating habits, acquired its peculiar 
 name. The introduction of the legend of the cock, which also occurs in 
 the earlier carol on St. Stephen's day, is strong confirmation of the 
 opinion as to the antiquity of this carol. Hone calls it a Warwickshire 
 carol, but it seems more probable that it had its origin in a more eastern 
 part of the country. The oldest broadsides known were printed at 
 Worcester. The obsolete word " renne," or " rein," i. e. '' to run," used 
 in the second line, is corrupted by the broadside printers into " reign " 
 and " range." 
 
 S I passed by a river side, 
 And there as I did rein, 
 In argument I chanced to hear 
 A Carnal and a Crane. 
 
 The Carnal said unto the Crane, 
 " Sure all the world will turn, 
 
 Before we had the Father, 
 But now we have the Son !
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " WTience does the Son come from ? 
 
 From where and from what place ? " 
 " Out of the land of Egypt, 
 
 Between an ox and an ass ! " 
 
 " I pray thee," said the Carnal, 
 " Tell me before thou goest ; 
 
 Was not the Mother of Jesus 
 
 Conceived by the Holy Ghost ? " 
 
 " She was the purest Virgin, 
 And the cleanest from all sin ; 
 
 She was the handmaid of the Lord, 
 And the Mother of our King." 
 
 " Where is the golden cradle 
 That Christ was rocked in ? 
 
 Where are the silken sheets 
 That Jesus was wrapt in ? " 
 
 " A Manger was the cradle 
 That Christ was rocked in ; 
 
 The provender the asses left, 
 So sweetly he slept in. 
 
 There was a Star in the East land. 
 
 So bright it did appear 
 Into King Herod's chamber, 
 
 And where King Herod were.
 
 liELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 ^Ih 
 
 " The Wise Men soon espied it, 
 And told the King on high, 
 
 A princely babe was born that night 
 No prince should e'er destroy. 
 
 " ' If this be true,' King Herod said, 
 
 ' As thou tellest me, 
 This roasted cock that lies in the dish 
 
 Shall crow full fences^ three.' 
 
 " The cock soon freshly featliered 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 old 
 
 Now slaughtered shall be.' 
 
 " Then Jesus, aye and Joseph, 
 And Mary that was so pure. 
 
 They travelled into Egypt land, 
 As you shall find most sure. 
 
 " And when they came to Egypt land, 
 Among some fierce wild beasts, 
 
 Mary, grown quite weary. 
 Must needs sit down to rest. 
 
 ' shouts (?).
 
 BELiaiOUS CAROLS. 
 
 
 " ' Come sit thee down,' says Jesus, 
 
 ' Come sit thee down by Me, 
 And thou shalt see that these wild beasts 
 Will come aud worship Me.' 
 
 " First came the lovely lion, 
 Which Jesus's grace did bring. 
 
 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 nation of the world. 
 
 Where'er we come and see. 
 
 " Then Jesus, aye and Joseph, 
 And Mary that was unknown. 
 
 They passed by a husbandman. 
 As he his seed had sown. 
 
 " ' God speed thee, man ! ' said Jesus, 
 
 ' Go fetch thy ox and wain, 
 And carry home thy corn again, 
 
 "NMiich thou this day hath sown.' 
 
 " The husbandman fell on his knees, 
 
 Even before His face ; 
 And made a lowly reverence 
 
 To Jesus Christ His giace. 
 
 101
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " ' 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.' 
 
 " ' The truth, man, thou hast spoken, 
 
 Of it thou may'st be sure, 
 For I must shed My precious blood 
 
 For thee and thousands more. 
 
 " * If any one should come this way, 
 
 And inquire for Me alone. 
 Tell them that Jesus passed by, 
 
 As thou thy seed had sown.' 
 
 " After that there came King Herod, 
 With his train most furiously, 
 
 Inquiring of the husbandman. 
 Whether Jesus passed by. 
 
 « ( Why the truth it must be spoken. 
 And the truth it must be known. 
 
 For Jesus passed by this way. 
 As I my seed had sown. 
 
 " ' And now I have it reapen. 
 And some laid on my wain, 
 
 The other you see is fit to carry 
 Into my barns again.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " ' Turn back/ said the Captain of the guard, 
 ' Your labour and mine's in vain, 
 
 It's full three quarters of a year 
 Since he his seed has sown.' 
 
 " So Hei'od was deceived 
 
 By the work of God's own hand, 
 
 And further he proceeded 
 Into the Holy Laud. 
 
 " There were thousands of children young, 
 
 Who for His sake did die ; 
 Do not forbid these little ones, 
 
 And do not them deny. 
 
 " The truth now I have spoken. 
 And the truth now I have shown ; 
 
 Thus the blessed Virgin 
 
 Brought forth our Lord the Son." 
 
 t
 
 THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST. 
 
 The following simple, but characteristic, production is found only on 
 broadsides printed at Devonport for circulation in Devonshire, Cornwall, 
 and Monmouthshire. It seems not unworthy of preservation as a speci- 
 men of the style of composition which arrests the attention and excites 
 the sympathy of the peasants and miners of those counties at the present 
 time. It is now printed for the first time in a collection. 
 
 HEN Jesus the Lord 
 
 Came down to our earth, 
 lie meanly was clad, 
 And low was His birth : 
 Though Lord of creation. 
 
 And Ruler above. 
 He chose iu a station 
 Most humble to move. 
 
 His hfe was all toil 
 
 When with us below, 
 Diseases He cured, 
 
 And softened our woe : 
 A friend to the friendless 
 
 He ever was found ; 
 His blessings were endless 
 
 To sinners around.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 The lepers He cleansed, 
 
 The deaf heard His voice, 
 The dumb spoke His praise, 
 
 And were made to rejoice : 
 The dead Jesus raised 
 
 To life from the grave ; 
 His name then be praised, 
 
 Whose end was to save. 
 
 THE SEVEN VIRGINS. 
 
 This carol appeared for the first time in a collection in " A Garland of 
 Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modem," published in 1860, the editor 
 of which says, " This is another Carol which has hitherto eluded the 
 search of all collectors of such religious antiquities. The legend is ex- 
 tremely ancient. The hne towards the end which alludes to ' our king 
 and queen' is evidently a modern interpolation. The metre, occasion- 
 ally faulty, is here given just as it occurs on the original old Birmingham 
 broadside." 
 
 LL under the leaves, and the leaves of life, 
 I met with virgins seven. 
 And one of them was Mary mild, 
 Our Lord's mother of heaven. 
 
 " O what are you seeking, you seven fair maids, 
 
 All under the leaves of life. 
 Come tell, come tell, what seek you, 
 All under the leaves of life ? "
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 " We're seeking for no leaves, Thomas, 
 
 53 lit for a friend of thine, 
 '\\^e're seeking for sweet Jesus Cluist, 
 
 To be our guide and thine." 
 
 " Go down, go down to yonder town. 
 
 And sit in the gallery. 
 And there you'll see sweet Jesus Clirist, 
 
 Nailed to a big yew tree." 
 
 So down they went to yonder town. 
 
 As fast as foot could fidl, 
 And many a grievous bitter tear 
 
 From the vu'gins' eyes did fall. 
 
 " O peace, mother, O peace, mother. 
 Your weeping doth me grieve, 
 
 I must suffer this," he said, 
 " For Adam and for Eve. 
 
 " O mother, take you John Evangelist, 
 
 All for to be your son. 
 And he will comfort you sometimes, 
 
 Mother, as I have done." 
 
 " come, thou John Evangelist, 
 
 Thou'rt welcome unto me, 
 Eut more welcome my own dear Son, 
 
 Whom I nursed on my knee." 
 
 106
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Tlieu He laid His head on ffis right shoulder, 
 Seeing death it struck Him nigh, — * 
 
 " The Holy Ghost be with your soul, 
 I die, mother dear, I die." 
 
 O the rose, the gentle rose, 
 
 And the fennel that grows so green, 
 
 God give us grace, in every place, 
 To pray for our king and queen. 
 
 Furthermore for our enemies all 
 Our prayers they should be strong, 
 
 Amen, good Lord ; your Charity 
 Is the ending of my song. 
 
 .^^^ 
 
 A NEW DIAL. 
 
 Tais is found on the leaf of an old almanack, published about 1625, and 
 preserved in the British Museum. The number, Twelve, that of the 
 Apostles, was very suggestive to the old carolists. 
 
 ^.XE God, one Baptism, and one Faith, 
 One Truth there is, the Scripture saith. 
 
 II 2 Two Testaments (the Old and New) 
 We do acknowledge to be true.
 
 ^c 
 
 V'i^ 
 
 
 
 It EL WIO US CA R L S. 
 
 3 Throe persons arc in Trinity, 
 Which make One God in Unity. 
 
 4 Foui- Hvvcot ]<]vangclist.s tlicie arc, 
 Christ's birth, life, deatli, which do dcchirc. 
 
 5 Five senses (like five kings) maintain 
 In evciy man a several reign. 
 
 G Six days to labour, is not wrong. 
 For God Himself did work so long. 
 
 7 Seven JJbei-al Arts liath God sent down, 
 With DiviiK,' skill man's soul to crown. 
 
 8 Eight in Noah's Ark alive were found, 
 When (in a word) the woi'ld lay di'ovvned. 
 
 y Nine Muses (like the heaven's nine S])heres; 
 With sax-i'cd tunes entice oui' ears. 
 
 10 Ten Statntes God to Moses gave, 
 
 Which k(,'))t 01- l)ioke, dij H|.ill or save. 
 
 ] 1 I']leven with Christ in llea\en <\i) dwell, 
 'i'lie Twelfth for evci' burns in ildl. 
 
 12 Twelve arc attending on God's Son, 
 
 Twelve make our Ciecd. The l)i;d's done. 
 
 Count Gno the first hoiu' of thy Hiilh, 
 'J'he hours that follow lead to lOarlli ; 
 Cou/it Twelve thy doleful sti'iking knell. 
 And I lien thy Dial shall go well. 
 
 108
 
 ■<r !^^^h^,\r<>^ 
 
 MAX'S DUTY 
 
 OR. MEDITATION' FOR THE TWELVE HOURS OF THE DAY 
 
 This is a more modem Tersi<Hi of the preceding caroL 
 
 m0 I 
 
 "^o^^^^cTr^ X^ GxA there is of wisdom, gloir, might ; 
 
 One Faith there is to guide our souls aright : 
 i \.\,<r'\.J'i_ '^^^ Truth there is for man to practise in ; 
 £>^^ - €r -i-l Qjjg Baptism to cleanse our souls fwm sin. 
 
 Two Testaments there are, the Old and If ew. 
 In which the Law and Grospel thou may'st yiew ; 
 The one for works and deeds doth precepts give. 
 The other saith the just by faith shall Uve. 
 
 Three Persons in the glorious Trinity 
 Make one true Grod in perfect tmity. 
 The Father. Son, and Holy Ghost, th(^ diree 
 For ever eqnal and eternal he. 
 
 Four most divine and righteous holy men 
 
 They did the life of our Redeemer pen, 
 
 They were Matthew, Mark, and Lute, and John likewise, 
 
 ^Whose righteous truth let every Christian priize.
 
 RELIGIOUS CAROLS. 
 
 Five senses do in every man maintain 
 
 A governing power, rule and reign ; 
 
 The hearing, seeing, tasting, feeling, smelling, 
 
 "Wliich at thy death will leave thee and thy dwelling 
 
 Six days, O man, thou hast to labour in. 
 So merciful and good thy God hath been, 
 Of seven unto Himself He took but one, 
 O rob Him not of that to leave Him none. 
 
 Seven Liberal Arts, by a divine decree, 
 Unto man's knowing soul united be. 
 Rhetoric, grammar, music and geometry, 
 Arithmetic, logic, and astronomy. 
 
 Eight persons in the ark of Noah were 
 WTaen God He would the world no longer spare ; 
 Sin did abound, therefore all flesh He drown'd 
 Which in that ship of safety were not bound. 
 
 Nine Muses their harmonious voices raise 
 To sing our blessed dear Redeemer's praise, 
 "Who is the spring from whence all blessings flow 
 To us poor living mortals here below. 
 
 There are Commandments Ten we should obey, 
 And yet how apt we are to go astray. 
 Leaving them all our folly to pursue, 
 As if we did not care what God could do.
 
 RELIOIOUS CAEOLS. 
 
 Eleven disciples did with Jesus pray 
 When Judas did our Saviour Christ betray, 
 Though, covetous for greedy gain, he fell 
 To be perdition's child condemned to hell. 
 
 Twelve Tribes there were amongst our fathers old, 
 Twelve Articles our Christian faith does hold, 
 Twelve Gates in New Jenisalem there be, 
 Unto which city Christ bring you and me.
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROLS. 
 
 PART II. 
 FESTIVE CAROLS AND SONGS. 
 
 " Tis merry in Hall 
 When beards wagge all." 
 
 Old Sonp, quoted by Shaksi-kke
 
 r< 
 
 CAROLS ON BRINGING IN THE 
 BOAR'S HEAD. 
 
 ^, 
 
 The head of a wild boar formed, at a very early period of our history, 
 the principal and choicest dish at all great feasts, and especially at 
 Christmas. Why it should have been so highly esteemed we cannot 
 now tell ; but possibly the danger encountered in attacking so ferocious 
 an animal as the wild boar, and the consequent importance attaching to 
 it when slain, as a trophy of victory, may have had an influence in 
 raising it to the position it enjoyed. The boar's head was brought to 
 table with great ceremony ; trumpeters preceded the bearer, sounding, 
 and various other persons attended and formed a procession Holin- 
 shed, in his Chronicle, acquaints us how King Henry II. on the occasion 
 of the coronation of his son Henry, as heir apparent, on the 15th 
 June, 1170, himself brought up the boar's head, with trumpets before 
 it. At Queen's College, Oxford, founded in 1340, the custom of bring- 
 ing in a boar's head, on Christmas Day, with music and a carol (given 
 hereinafter), has been preserved to our own times. At Henry VI. 's 
 coronation boars' heads were placed on the table in " castellys of golde 
 and enamell." Margaret, daughter of Henry VII, and wife to James 
 IV. of Scotland, "at the furst course" of her wedding dinner, " was 
 served of a wyld borres hed gylt, within a fayr platter." In the house- 
 hold accounts of King Henry VIII. we find an entry on 24th November, 
 1529, of a payment to a servant of the Lord Chamberlain of 40s. " in re- 
 warde for bringing a wylde bore unto the king," and on the last day of 
 December in the same year, a like sum of 40s. was paid to one of 
 the Lord Chamberlain's servants for a similar service. A servant of 
 " Maister Tresorer "received 4s. 8d. on 18th December, 1 531, " for bring- 
 ing a wylde bore's head to the king." The custom continued through- 
 
 £
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 out the reign of Elizabeth, — during which, on Christmas Day, in the 
 Inner Temple, "a fair and large boar's head" was served " upon a 
 silver platter with minstrelsy ;"— and into the reigns of her immediate suc- 
 cessors, for Aubrey, in a manuscript, dated 1678, says: "Before the last 
 civil wars, in gentlemen's houses at Christmass, the first diet that was 
 brought to table was a boar's head with a lemon in his mouth." 
 
 The following is a collection of the principal, if not the only, Boar's 
 head carols now extant: — 
 
 This is the earliest known carol of the kind, 
 manuscript of the fifteenth century. 
 
 It is contained in a 
 
 Hey ! Hey ! Hey ! Hey ! 
 
 The Boar his head is armed gay. 
 
 HE boar his head in hantl I bring 
 Witli garland gay in porttoring/ 
 I pray you all with me to sing. 
 With Hey! 
 
 Lords, knights, and squires, 
 Parsons, priests, and vicars. 
 The boar his head is the first mess,^ 
 With Hey ! 
 
 The boar his head, as I 3'ou say, 
 
 He takes his leave and goeth his way, 
 
 Gone after the Twelfth day, 
 
 With Hey ! 
 
 ' This word is not in any Glossary. * dish. 
 
 116
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Then comes in the second course with mickle^ pride, 
 The cranes, the herons, the hittcrns, by their side 
 The partridges and the plovers, the woodcocks, and the snipe, 
 
 With Hey ! 
 
 Larks in hot show ladies for to pick, 
 Good drink thereto, luscious and fine, 
 Blwet of Allemaine," Romnay,^ and wine. 
 
 With Hey ! 
 
 Good brewed ale and wine, dare I well say, 
 The boar his head with mustai'd armed so gay, 
 Furmity for pottage, with venison fine. 
 And the umbles of the doe and all that ever comes in, 
 Capons well baked, with the pieces of the roe. 
 Raisins of currants, with other spices nio.^ 
 
 With Hey ! 
 
 II. 
 
 This is from the manuscript uf the fifteenth centui-y wliicb was edited, 
 as before mentioned, in 1847, for the Percy Society by Mr. Tliomas 
 Wright. 
 
 IDINGS I bring you for to tell. 
 What me in wild forest befel. 
 When mc must with a wild beast melP 
 With a boar so bryme.^ 
 
 much. 
 
 ' German wines. 
 * meddle. 
 
 ^ a Spanish wine. 
 ^ fierce. 
 
 117 
 
 (^
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 A boar so brjme that me pursued, 
 
 Me for to kill so sliarplj moved, 
 
 That brymlj beast so cruel and unrude, ^ 
 
 There tamed I him, 
 And reft from him both life and limb. 
 
 Truly, to show you that this is true. 
 His head with my sword I hew, 
 To make this day to you mirth new, 
 Now eat thereof anon. 
 
 Eat, and much good do it you ; 
 Take your bread and mustard thereto. 
 Joy with me that I have thus done, 
 I pray you be glad every one, 
 And joy all in one. 
 
 m. 
 
 This is from the same manuscript as the preceding. 
 
 Po, po, po, po, 
 
 [I] love brawn and so do mo. 
 
 T the beginning of the meat 
 Of a boar's head ye shall eat. 
 And in the mustard ye shall wet 
 
 And ye shall singen" ere ye go. 
 
 ' savao-e. 
 
 - the old form of the plural.
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Welcome be ye that be here, 
 
 And ye shall have right good cheer, 
 
 And also a right good fare, 
 
 And ye shall singen ere ye go. 
 
 Welcome be ye every one, 
 For ye shall sing right anon ; 
 Hie ye fast that ye had done. 
 
 And ye shall singon ere ye go. 
 
 IV. 
 
 This carol is contained on a single leaf, all that is known of the collec- 
 tion of which it formed part, which formerly belonged to Thomas 
 Hearne, the antiquary, and is now preserved in the Bodleian Library at 
 Oxford. Fortunately this leaf contains the colophon, which runs thus : 
 — " Thus endeth tiie Christmasse carolles, newely inprinted at Londo, 
 in the fletestrete, at the sygne of the sonne, by Wynkyn de Worde. 
 The yere.of our lorde M.D.xxi." The carol is entitled, "Acaroll 
 bringyng in the bores heed." 
 
 Caput Apri defero 
 Eeddevf: laudes Domino. 
 
 HE boar's head in hand brino- I, 
 AVith garlands gay and rosemary 
 I pray you all sing merrily, 
 Qui estts in convivio.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 The boar's head, I unclerstand, 
 Is the chief service in this land ; 
 Look wherever it be found, 
 
 Servite cum cantico. 
 
 Be glad, lords, both more or less. 
 For this hath ordained our steward 
 
 To cheer you all this Christmas, 
 The boar's head with mustard. 
 
 This is a modernized version of the preceding carol, and owes its chief 
 interest to the circumstance of its being still annually sung on Christmas 
 Day at Queen's College, Oxford, where the custom of bringing the be ar's 
 head to table on that day has been uninterruptedly maintained. The 
 new version was in all probability made and introduced into use about 
 the commencement of the last century, as it is palpably referred to by 
 Hearne in a note on the older carol, which he printed amongst the 
 " Notre et Spicilegium," appended to his edition of William of Newbury's 
 Chi-onicle in 1719, stating that " it will be perceived how much the same 
 carol is altered as it is sung in some places even now from what it was at 
 first." The ceremony now attending the bringing in the boar's head at 
 Queen's College is as follows:— The head (the finest and largest that 
 can be procured) is decorated with garlands, bays, and rosemary, and is 
 borne into the Hall on the shoulders of two of the chief servants of the 
 college, and followed by members of the college, and by the college choir. 
 The carol is sung by a m.ember (usually a fellow) of the college, and the 
 chorus by the choir as the procession advances to the high table, on 
 reaching which, the boar's head is placed before the Provost, who sends 
 slices of it to those who are with him at the high table; and the head is 
 then sent round to the other tables in the hall and partaken of by the
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 occupants.' The music to which the carol is sung (a kind of chant) may 
 be seen in the appendix to this collection of carols. Some years since 
 it was more than once stated in print that the boar's head had given 
 way to a carved wooden substitute, but there is no reason whatever 
 for believing that such an absurdity was ever permitted. There 
 was an amusing tradition formerly current in Oxford concerning the 
 boar's head custom, which represented that usage as a commemo- 
 ration of an act of valour performed by a student of the college, who, 
 while walking in the neighbouring forest of Shotover and reading 
 Aristotle, was suddenly attacked by a wild boar. The furious beast 
 came open-mouthed upon the youth, who, however, very courageously, and 
 with a happy presence of mind, thrust the volume he was reading down 
 the boar's throat, crying, " Grjeciim est," and fairly choked the savage 
 with the sage. This tradition, together with the customary celebration, 
 occasioned the production of the following song, which appeared in 
 " The Oxford Sausage," a miscellany of humorous poetry relating to 
 Oxford, published nearly a century ago, under the care of the Rev. 
 Thomas Warton, who himself largely contributed to it. 
 
 %> 
 
 « SONG 
 
 IN HONODR OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE BOAR'S HEAD, AT QCEEN'S 
 COLLEGE, OXFORD. 
 
 ' Tarn 3Iarti quam Mercurio.^ 
 
 " I sing not of Roman or Grecian mad games. 
 The Pythian, Olympic, and such like hard names ; 
 Your patience awhile with submission I beg; 
 I strive but to honour the feast of Coll. Reg. 
 
 Derry down, down, down, derry down. 
 
 ' For the communication of these particulars the editor is indebted to 
 the courtesy of the Eev. Dr. Jackson, Provost of Queen's College. 
 
 ^
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 " No Thracian brawls at our rites eer prevail, 
 We temper our mirth with plain sober mild ale ; 
 The tricks of old Circe deter us from wine ; 
 Though we honour a hoar, we won't make ourselves swine. 
 
 Derry down, &c. 
 
 " Great Milo was famous for slaying his ox, 
 Yet he prov'd but an ass in cleaving of blocks ; 
 But we had a hero for all things was fit, 
 Our motto displays both his valour and wit. 
 
 Derry down, &c. 
 
 " Stout Hercules labour'd and look'd mighty big, 
 When he slew the half-starv'd Erymanthian pig ; 
 But we can relate such a stratagem taken, 
 That the stoutest of hours could not save his own bacon. 
 
 Derry down, &c. 
 
 " So dreadful this bristle-back'd foe did appear, 
 You'd have sworn he had got the wrong pig by the ear ; 
 But instead of avoiding the mouth of the beast, 
 He ramm'd in a volume, and cried— C?/'<Ec?/m est. 
 
 Derry down, &c. 
 
 "In this gallant action such fortitude shevvn is, 
 As proves him no coward, nor tender Adonis ; 
 No armour but logic, by which we may find 
 That logic's the bulwark of body and mind. 
 
 Derry down, &.c. 
 
 s) ^^ 
 
 " Ye, squires, that fear neither hills nor rough rocks. 
 And think you're full wise when you outwit a fox ; 
 Enrich your poor brains, and expose them no more. 
 Learn Greek, and seek glory from hunting the hoar, 
 
 Derry down, &c." 
 
 122
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 The present copy of the carol is given from Dibdin's edition of 
 • Ames's Typographical Antiquities," ii, 252. 
 
 HE boar's head in hand bear I, 
 Bcdeck'd witli bays aud rosemary ; 
 And I pray you, my masters, be merry, 
 Quot estis in convivio. 
 Caput Apri defero, 
 Reddens laudes Domino. 
 
 The boai-'a head, as I understand. 
 Is the rarest dish in all this land, 
 Wliich thus bedeck'd with a gay garland, 
 Let us servire cantico. 
 Caput Apri defero, 
 Reddens laudes Domino. 
 
 Our steward hath provided this 
 In honour of the King of bliss ; 
 ^^^lich on this day to be served is 
 In Rer/inensi Atrio. 
 
 Caput Apri defero, 
 Reddens laudes Domino. 
 
 ^ 
 
 '(? 

 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 VI. 
 
 This carol is contained in a manuscript, formerly in the possession of 
 llitson, the antiquary, but now preserved amongst the additional manu- 
 scripts in the British Museum, which was written in the reign of Henry 
 VIII. In addition to the words, the manuscript gives the music written 
 for the carol, by a composer named Richard Smert, called elsewhere in 
 the same manuscript, " Ricard Smert de Plymptre." This is in two 
 parts (soprano and alto), with a chorus in three parts (soprano and two 
 altos), and has been printed in John Stafford Smith's " Musica Antiqua," 
 i. 22. The name of the author of the words is not recorded. Ritson, 
 who printed the carol in his "Ancient Songs and Ballads," says, " Nowel, 
 Nowel (the old French name for Christmas), and a great cry at that 
 period, was the usual burden to this sort of things. It was likewise the 
 name of this sort of composition, which is equally ancient and popular. 
 Books of carols were cried about the streets of Paris in the thirteenth 
 century. ' Noel, Noel, d moult grant cris.'" 
 
 Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, 
 
 'i HE boar's head, that we bring here, 
 Betokeneth a prince without peer 
 Is born this day to buy us dear, 
 NocL 
 
 A boar is a sovereign beast. 
 And acceptable in every feast ; 
 So might this Lord be to most ^ and least, 
 
 Noel 
 
 ' gi-eatest. 
 
 124
 
 The boar's head we bring with song, 
 In worsliip of Him that thus sprung 
 Of a Virgin to redress all wrong ; 
 Xoel. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Tuis carul was sung, in 1607, at the ceremony of bringing in the 
 Boar's Head before the Christmas Prince, a kind of Lord of ]Misrule,or 
 Master of Revels, formerly annually elected from amongst the juniors of 
 St. John the Baptist's College, Oxford, to preside during the Christmas 
 holidays. This custom had prevailed in other Oxford colleges, particu- 
 larly in Merton College, before the Reformation, when it was abolished- 
 In the Societies of the Law, particularly Gray's Inn and the Temple, it 
 continued long afterwards. " At a Christmas celebrated in the Hall of 
 the Middle Temple, in the year 1635, the jurisdiction, privileges, and 
 parade of this mock monarch are thus circumstantially described. He 
 was attended by his Lord Keeper, Lord Treasurer, with eight white 
 slaves, a captain of his Band of Pensioners, and of his Guard ; and with 
 two chaplains, who were so seriously impressed with an idea of his regal 
 dignity, that when they preached before him on the preceding Sunday 
 in the Temple Church, on ascending the pulpit they saluted him with 
 three low bows. He dined, both in the Hall and in his privy chamber, 
 under a cloth of estate. The pole-axes for his Gentlemen Pensioners 
 were borrowed of Lord Salisbury. Lord Holland, his temporary Justice 
 in Eyre, supplies him with venison on demand ; and the Lord Mayor 
 and Sheriffs of London with wine. On Twelfth Day, at going to church, 
 he received many petitions, which he gave to his Master of Requests : 
 and, like other kings, he had a favourite, whom, with others, gentlemen 
 of high (luality, he knighted at returning from church. [The satire con- 
 veyed in this last action, was, doubtless, keenly relished at the time.] 
 His expenses, all from his own purse, amounted to two thousand 
 pounds." 
 
 The change from the manners and tastes of the times when the former 
 carols were written appears strikingly in the present production. Instead
 
 pi 
 
 Sr> / v''^'/ 
 
 M 
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 of references to the Blessed Virgin and the King of bliss, we have the 
 quasi-classic allusions to Meleager (the destroyer of the famed boar of 
 Calydon), Ceres and Bacchus, so strongly characteristic of the age. It 
 may be remarked that in all these carols, save one or two, mustard is 
 mentioned as an accompaniment to the boar's head, in a manner that 
 exalts it to an almost equal consequence with the head itself. It is 
 alluded to as an essential article even so late as the eighteenth century, 
 in the following passage from Dr. William King's poem, " The Art of 
 Cookery : " — 
 
 ■' At Christmas time. 
 
 Then if you would send up the Brawner's head. 
 Sweet rosemary and bays around it spread ; 
 His foaming tusks let some large pippin grace, 
 Or, midst these thundering spears an orange place ; 
 Sauce, like himself, offensive to its foes, 
 The roguish mustard, dangerous to the nose. 
 Sack and the well-spic'd Ilippocras the wine. 
 Wassail the bowl with ancient ribbons fine. 
 Porridge with plums, and turkies with the chine." 
 
 HE Boar is dead, 
 Lo, here is his head : 
 
 What man could have done more 
 Than his head oif to strike, 
 Meleager like, 
 
 And bring it as I do before ? 
 
 He living spoiled 
 Where good men toiled, 
 
 Which made kind Ceres sorry ; 
 But now, dead and drawn, 
 Is very good brawn, 
 
 And we have brought it for ye. 
 
 126
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Then set clown the swinejard, 
 The foe to the vineyard, 
 
 Let Bacchus crown his fall ; 
 Let this boar's head and mustard 
 Stand for pig, goose, and custard,. 
 
 And so you are welcome all. 
 
 CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 Tnis carol is from the before-mentioned manuscript, formerly Eitson's, 
 and now in the British Museum, of the early part of Henry VUI.'s 
 reign. It has the peculiarity of having scraps of French incorporated 
 into it, and this may perhaps point to the period at which Henry met 
 Francis I. on the celebrated " Field of the Cloth of Gold," as that of its 
 production. The music, in three parts (soprano, alto, and tenor), which 
 accompanies the carol in the manuscript, will be found in John Stafford 
 Smith's " Musica Antiqua," i. 26. 
 
 OEL, Noel, Noel, Noel, 
 Who is there, that singeth so, Noel, 
 Noel, Noel ? 
 
 I am here, Sir Christhismas, 
 Welcome, my lord Sir Christhismas, 
 Welcome to all both more and less ; * 
 
 Come near, Noel. 
 
 Dieu votes garde, beau Sire, tidings I you bring, 
 A maid hath born a Child full young. 
 The which causeth for to sing, 
 
 Noel. 
 
 ' great and small.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 )J) 
 
 Christ is now born of a pure maid, 
 In an ox stall He is laid, 
 Wherefore sing we all at a braid, • 
 
 Noel. 
 
 Buvez Men par toute la compagnie, 
 Make good cheer and be right merrj, 
 And sing with us now joyfully, 
 
 Noel. 
 
 (p) 
 
 -=d:i^ 
 
 fM 
 
 ^^ 
 
 m 
 
 HOLLY AND IVY. 
 
 The custom of decking houses with evergreens about the close of the 
 year is of Pagan origin, and was adopted by the Christians. It long 
 since obtained a firm hold in England. In many of the Churchwarden's 
 accounts in London parishes we meet with charges like the following : — 
 
 •' Holme and Ivy at Christmas Eve, iiij d." St. Mary at Hill. 
 "It'm for Holly and Ivy at Christmas, ij d. ob." St. Martin Oufwich, 
 
 A. D. 1524. 
 "Paid for HoUy and Ivye at Christmas, ij d." Ihid., a. d. 1325. 
 
 The following carol is from a manuscript of the fifteenth century : — 
 
 OLLY and Ivy made a great party, 
 
 Who should have the mastery 
 
 In lands where they go. 
 
 ' suddenly. 
 
 128
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Then spake Holly, " I am fierce and jolly, 
 I will have the mastery 
 
 In lands where we go." 
 
 Then spake Ivy, " I am loud and proud. 
 And I will have the mastery 
 
 In lands where we go." 
 
 Then spake Holly, and set him down on his knee, 
 " I pray thee, gentle Ivy, 
 Say^ me no villany 
 
 In lands where we go." 
 
 %'^^Cd 
 
 HERE COMES HOLLY. 
 
 This is from the same manuscript as the preceding. 
 
 Alleluia, Alleluia, 
 Alleluia, now sing we. 
 
 m 
 
 EEE comes Holly that is so gent,^ 
 To please all men is his intent. 
 Alleluia. 
 
 But Lord and Lady of this hall, 
 Whosoever against Holly call. 
 
 Alleluia. 
 
 essay, do. 
 
 » gallant, pretty. 
 
 129
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 Whosoever against Holly do cry, 
 In a lepe^ he shall hang full high. 
 Alleluia. 
 
 A\Tiosocver against Holly do sing, 
 He may weep and hands wring. 
 Alleluia. 
 
 IVY, CHIEF OF TREES. 
 
 Tins is also from the same manuscript as the foregoing. 
 
 Ivy, chief of trees it is, 
 Veni coronaberis. 
 
 HE most worthy she is in town, 
 He that saith other doth amiss ; 
 dnd worthy to bear the crown ; 
 Veni coronaberis. 
 
 Ivy is soft and meek of speech. 
 
 Against aU bale she is bliss ; 
 Well is he that may her reach, 
 
 Veni coronaberis. 
 
 Ivy is green with colour bright. 
 
 Of all trees best she is ; 
 And that I prove well now be right, 
 
 Veni coronaberis. 
 
 ' a large basket.
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Ivy beareth berries black ; 
 
 God grant us all His bliss, 
 For there shall we nothing lack 
 
 T'^eni coronaheris. 
 
 THE CONTEST OF THE IVY AND 
 THE HOLLY. 
 
 Tins is from a manuscript of Henry IV.'s time, in the British Museum. 
 It appears that in 1561 W. Copeland paid the Company of Stationers Ad. 
 for a license to print " A ballette entitled holy and ki/ve." Brand, who has 
 printed this carol in his "Observations on Popular Antiquities," says 
 that from it "it should seem that holly was used only to deck the inside 
 of houses at Christmas, while ivy was used not only as a vintner's sign, 
 but also among the evergreens at funerals." 
 
 AY, Ivy, nay, it shall not be, I wis. 
 Let Holly have the mastery as the manner is. 
 
 '^, 
 
 Holly standeth in the hall fair to behold. 
 Ivy stands without the door ; she is full sore a cold. 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Holly and his merry men, they dancen^ and they sing ; 
 Ivy and her maidens, they weepen' and they wring. 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Ivy hath a lybo,'^ she caught it with the cold. 
 So may they all have, that with Ivy hold. 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 ' The old form of the plural. -^ This word is not explained by any Glossary.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 Holly hath berries, as red as any rose, 
 The foresters, the hunters, keep them from the does. 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Ivy hath berries as black as any sloe. 
 There come the owl and eat them as she go. 
 ^ay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Holly hath birds a full fair flock, 
 The nightingale, the poppinjay, the gentle laverock. 
 Nay Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 Good Ivy, [good Ivy,] what birds hast thou, 
 None but the owlet that cries How ! How ! 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
 
 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 This curious specimen of an ancient drinking song is contained in a 
 manuscript written early in tlie sixteenth century, and preserved in the 
 Cottonian collection in the British Museum. It bears the title of "A 
 Christenmesse Carroll.'' 
 
 BONE, God wot! 
 
 Sticks in my throat — 
 Without I have a draught 
 Of cornie ale, 
 Nappy and stale, 
 My life lies in great waste. 
 Some ale or beer,
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Gentle butler, 
 Some liquor thou us show. 
 
 Such as you mash 
 
 Our throats to wash, 
 The best ware that you brew. 
 
 Saint, master, and knight, 
 
 That Saint Malt bight, 
 Were pressed between two stones ; 
 
 That sweet humour 
 
 Of his liquor 
 "Would make us sing at once. 
 
 Master Wortley, 
 
 I dare well say, 
 I tell you as I think, 
 
 Would not, I say. 
 
 Bid us this day, 
 But that we should have drink. 
 
 His men so tall 
 
 Walk up his hall, 
 With many a comely dish ; 
 
 Of his good meat 
 
 I cannot eat. 
 Without I drink, I wis. 
 
 Now give us drink, 
 
 And let cat wink, 
 I tell you all at once. 
 
 It sticks so sore, 
 
 I may sing no more. 
 Till I have drunken once. 
 
 133 
 
 a 
 
 iS)
 
 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 This singular carol is derived (through the medium of the " Biblio- 
 graphical Miscellanies " of the late Dr. Bliss,) from the collection of 
 Christmas Carols printed by Richard Kele about 1550. It is probably 
 the earliest of a class of pieces which were in great favour a century or 
 so afterwards ; and many specimens of which may be seen in Percy's 
 " Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," and Ritson's "Ancient Songs and 
 Ballads," under the denomination of " Mad Songs ;'' in which the incoherent 
 utterances of a maniac are made the vehicle of amusement. The present 
 is the only instance of such a production being found in a collection of 
 carols, although none can doubt the power of such a disconnected 
 rhapsody to excite the boisterous merriment of a group of Christmas 
 revellers, forgetful of all care and reflection, and bent only on amuse- 
 ment. The reader will observe the introduction into this carol of a de- 
 vice for raising a laugh frequently resorted to by modern farceurs, viz. 
 the interchanging the positions of two of the words in a sentence ; in this 
 instance the words cow and rope in the line 
 
 " The cow brake loose, the rope ran home." 
 
 The allusions to the Canterbury Pilgrimage and St. Katherine of Kent 
 show the carol to be of much earlier date than the time of publication. 
 It is believed that it has never been reproduced (except by Dr. Bliss) 
 since its original production. 
 
 Y heart of gold as true as steel, 
 As I me leaned on a bough ; 
 In faith but if ye love me well, 
 Lord so Kobin lough. ^ 
 
 laughed. 
 
 1.34
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS AND SONGS. 
 
 ^Ij lady went to Canterbury 
 
 The Saint to be ber boot ;^ 
 She met with Kate of INIalmsbiiry 
 
 Why shepyst^ thou in a apple root ? 
 My heart, &c. 
 
 Nine mile to Michaelmas, 
 
 Our (lame began to brew, 
 Michael set his mare to grass, 
 
 Lord so fast it suew.^ 
 
 My heart, &lc. 
 
 For you, love, I bi*ako my glass, 
 Your gown is furred with blue ; 
 
 The devil is dead : for there I was, 
 I wis it is full true. 
 
 My heart, &c. 
 
 And if ye sleep the cock will crow. 
 True heart, think what I say, 
 
 Jack-a-napes will make a mow,^ 
 Look, who dare say him nay? 
 
 My heart, (fee. 
 
 I pray you have me now in mind, 
 I tell you of the matter. 
 
 ' help. 
 
 ' hidest. 
 
 ' snowed. 
 
 mock.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 He blew his horn against the wind ; 
 The ci'ow goeth to the water. 
 
 ]\Ij heart, &c. 
 
 Yet I tell you mickle more, 
 The cat lieth in the cradle, 
 
 I pray you keep true heart in store, 
 A penny for a ladle. 
 
 My heart, &c. 
 
 I swear by St. Katherinc of Kent, 
 The goose goeth to the green. 
 
 All our dog's tail is brent,^ 
 It is not as I ween." 
 
 My heart, &c. 
 
 Tyrlery lorpyn the laverock sung, 
 So merrily pipes the sparrow : 
 
 The cow brake loose, the I'ope ran home, 
 Sir, God give you good morrow. 
 My heart, &.c. 
 
 ' burnt. '■^ ffuess. 
 
 136
 
 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 This brief effusion was printed by Eitson in his " Ancient Songs and 
 Ballads." It is placed third in the class of pieces produced during the 
 reigns of the four Stuart kings, whence we may presume that Ritson 
 conceived it to belong to the period of either James or Charles I. The 
 soui'ce from which it was obtained is not stated. It may possibly be a 
 short salutation sung by the waits at the conclusion of their nocturnal 
 instrumental performance to the occupants of the house before which 
 they were playing. 
 
 OD bless the master of this house, 
 The mistress also. 
 And all the little children 
 That round the table go : 
 
 Aiad all your kin and kinsfolk 
 That dwell both far and near 
 
 I wish you a merry Christmas, 
 And a happy New Year.
 
 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 This excellent and sprightly carol is from the pen of George "Wither, 
 and first appeared, under the above title, in " A Miscelany of Epigrams, 
 Sonnets, Epitaphs, and such other Verses " printed at the end of his 
 poem called "Faire Virtve, the Mistresse of Philarete," in 1622. No 
 better or livelier picture of the manner in which Christmas was cele- 
 brated in England before Puritanism became predominant can be pre- 
 sented to the reader. 
 
 O, now is come our jo^ful'st feast ; 
 Let every man be jolly ; 
 Each room with ivy leaves is ilrest, 
 And every post with holly. 
 Though some churls at our mirth repine, 
 Round your foreheads garlands twine, 
 Drown sorrow in a cup of wine, 
 And let us all be merry. 
 
 Now, all our neighbours' chimneys smoke. 
 
 And Christmas blocks are burning ; 
 Their ovens they with baked meats choke, 
 And all their spits are turning. 
 
 Without the door let sorrow lie ; 
 And if for cold it hap to die. 
 We'll bury't it in a Christmas pie, 
 And evermore be merry.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS. 
 
 Xow every lad is wondrous trim, 
 And no man minds bis labour, 
 Our lasses bave provided tbem 
 A bag-pipe and a tabor ; 
 
 Young men and maids, and girls and boys, 
 Give life to one another's joys ; 
 And you anon shall by tbeir noise 
 Perceive that they are merry, 
 
 Kank misers now do sparing shun ; 
 
 Their hall of music souudeth ; 
 And dogs thence with whole shoulders run. 
 So all things there aboundetb. 
 
 The country-folk themselves advance ; 
 For Crowdj'-muttons^ come out of France ; 
 And Jack shall pipe, and Jill shall dance, 
 And all the town be merry. 
 
 Xed Squash hath fetched his bands from pawn, 
 
 And all his best apparel ; 
 Brisk Nell hath bought a ruff of lawn 
 
 With droppings of the barrel ;- 
 
 1 A by-word for a fiddler, derived from the crowth or crowd, a precursor 
 of the violin. 
 
 2 One of the verses of a contemporary ballad, called " Mock-beggar's 
 Hall," commences with nearly the same words, viz : — 
 
 " Xed Swash hath fetched his cloths from pawn. 
 
 With dropping of the barrell ; 
 Joan Dust hath bought a smock of lawn, 
 
 And now begins to quarreU." 
 
 ^^?T^ 

 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 And those that hardly all the year 
 Had bread to eat, or rags to wear, 
 Will have both clothes and dainty fare, 
 And all the day be merry. 
 
 Now poor men to the justices 
 
 With capons make their errants ; 
 And if they hap to fail of these, 
 
 They plague them with their warrants ; ^ 
 
 But now they feed them with good cheer, 
 And what they want they take in beer; 
 For Christmas comes but once a year. 
 And then they shall be merry. 
 
 Good farmers in the country nurse 
 The poor, that else were undone ; 
 Some landlords spend their money worse, 
 On lust and pride at London. 
 
 There, the roysters they do play. 
 Drab and dice their lands away, 
 Which may be ours another day ; 
 And therefore let's be merry. 
 
 The client now his suit forbears, 
 The prisoner's heart is eased ; 
 
 ' We need not be surprised that petty justices were guilty of such 
 obliquity when we remember that about the period at which this carol 
 was written the venality of judges was not unfrequent, even the great 
 Bacon having stooped to "contaminate his fingers with base bribes."
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 The debtor drinks away his cares, 
 And for the time is pleased. 
 
 Though other purses be more fat, 
 AMiy should we pine or grieve at that? 
 Hang sorrow ! care will kill a cat, 
 And therefore let's be merry. 
 
 
 Hark ! how the wags abroad do call 
 
 Each other foilh to rambling : 
 Anon you'll see them in the hall 
 For nuts and apples scrambling. 
 
 Hark ! how the roofs with laughter somid ! 
 Anon they'll think the house goes round ; 
 For they the cellar's depth have found, 
 And there they will be merry. 
 
 The wenches with their wassail bowls 
 
 About the streets are singing ; 
 The boys are come to catch the owls,' 
 
 The wild mare in is briueino-.- 
 
 ' Brand, writing in 1795, says, " A credible person born and bi'ougbt 
 up in a village not far from Bury St. Edmunds, in the county of Suffolk, 
 informed me that, when he was a boy, there was a rural custom there 
 among the youths of hunting owls and squirrels on Christmas Day." 
 
 ^ No information can be gained of the nature of this sport. Herrick, 
 in his Hesperides, mentions amongst other Christmas games, 
 
 " the care 
 That young men have to shoe the mare ; " 
 which may possibly have been the same diversion as that named in our 
 carol. 
 
 y 
 
 (r 
 
 ^V!i/^/
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS. 
 
 Our kitchen-boy hatli broke his box/ 
 And to the deahng of the ox 
 Our honest neighbours come by flocks, 
 And here they will be merry. 
 
 Xow kings and queens poor sheep-cotes have, 
 
 And mate with everybody ; 
 The honest now may pLay the knave, 
 And wise men play at noddy, 
 
 Some youths will now a mumming go. 
 Some others play at Eowland-ho,^ 
 And twenty other gameboys'' mo, 
 Because they will be merry. 
 
 Then wherefore in these merry days 
 
 Should we, I pray, be duller ? 
 
 No, let us sing some roundelays. 
 
 To make our mirth the fuller. 
 
 And, whilest thus inspir'd we sing, 
 Let all the streets with echoes ring. 
 Woods and hills, and everything, 
 Bear witness we are merry. 
 
 ' The old Christmas money-box was made of earthenware, and re- 
 quired to be broken in order to get at the money it contained. 
 
 "^ This is also a sport which has slipped out of remembrance. It was 
 possibly another name for hide-and-seek. 
 
 ^ From the Anglo-Norman gambaudes ; gambols or pranks. 
 
 (S^^^,::^^ 
 
 ^^
 
 THE WASSAIL. 
 
 " Was-haile," and " Drink-heil " were the usual phrases of quaffing 
 amongst the Anglo-Saxons, and were equivalest to the modern 
 expressions " Good health," and " I drink to you." The custom of young 
 women going about on New-year's Eve from house to house with a 
 wassail bowl containing a composition of ale, nutmeg, sugar, toast, and 
 roasted crab apples (sometimes called Lambs-wool) prevailed for ages. 
 The bearers presented the bowl to the inmates of the houses where they 
 called, sang some verses, and received in return a small gratuity. 
 Selden, in his Table-talk, has made this custom the subject of a curious 
 comparison. " The Pope," he says, " in sending relicks to Princes, does 
 as wenches do to their Wassels at New Year's tide— they present you 
 with a cup, and you must drink of a slabby stuff, but the meaning is, 
 you must give them money, ten times more than it is worth." Prior to 
 the suppression of the monasteries it was the custom for the wassail bowl 
 to be placed on the Abbot's table and circulated amongst the community, 
 under the title of Poculum Caritatis— the Cup of Charity, or Love. This 
 custom is still preserved amongst us, and the ver}' name retained, in the 
 Loving Cup of civic banquets, and the Grace Cup of the universities. 
 The Wassail song here presented is the production of Robert Herrick, — 
 "the jovial Herri<k " as the late Douglas Jerrold aptly named him — and 
 appears to describe the visit of a set of Wassailers to the house of some 
 person who refused them admission. 
 
 
 IVE way, give way, ye gates, and win 
 An easy blessing to your bin 
 And basket, by our entering in.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 May both with manchet ' stand replete, 
 Your lai'der, too, so hung with meat, 
 That though a thousand thousand eat, 
 
 Yet, ere twelve moons shall whirl about 
 Their silv'ry spheres, there's none may doubt 
 But more's sent in than was served out. 
 
 Next, may your dairies prosper so. 
 As that your pans no ebb may know ; 
 But if tliey do, the more to flow : 
 
 Like to a solemn sober stream, 
 Banked all with lilies ; and the cream 
 Of sweetest cowslips filling them. 
 
 Then may your plants be pressed with fruit, 
 Nor bee, or hive you have be mute. 
 But sweetly sounding like a lute. 
 
 Next, may your duck and teeming hen. 
 Both to the cock's tread say, amen ; 
 And for their two eggs render ten. 
 
 Last, may your harrows, shares, and ploughs, 
 Your stacks, your stocks, your sweetest mows. 
 All prosper by your virgin-vows. 
 
 ' A small loaf of fine wheaten bread. The founder of the Hospital of 
 St. Cross, near Winchester, directed that every stranger calling should 
 receive a manchet of bread and a cup of ale ; a custom v> hich is, it is 
 believed, still kept up. 
 
 141
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Alas ! we bless ; but see none bere, 
 That brings us either ale or beer ; 
 In a dry house all things are near. 
 
 Let's leave a longer time to wait, 
 Where rust and cobwebs bind the gate, 
 And all live here with needy fate ; 
 
 Where chimneys do for ever Aveep 
 
 For want of warmth, and stomachs keep 
 
 With noise the servants' eyes from sleep. 
 
 It is in vain to sing, or stay 
 
 Our free feet here, but we'll away. 
 
 Yet to the Lares this we'll say : 
 
 " The time will come, when you'll be sad, 
 
 And reckon this for fortune bad, 
 
 T' have lost the good ye might have had." 
 
 A MERRY CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 This carol originally appeared in a collection of " Good and true, fresh 
 and new, Christmas Carols," printed in black letter "by E. P. for 
 Francis Coles, dwelling in the Old Bailey," in the year 1642, a copy of 
 which is preserved amongst the books of Anthony a Wood, the antiquary, 
 in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. 
 
 LL you that are good fellows, 
 Come hearken to my song ; 
 I know you do not hate good cheer, 
 Nor hquor that is strong.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 I hope there is none here 
 
 But soon will take 1113^ pari, 
 Seeing my master and my dame 
 
 Say welcome with their heart. 
 
 This is a time of joyfulness 
 
 And merry time of year, 
 When as the rich with plenty stor'd 
 
 Do make the poor good cheer. 
 Plum porridge, roast beef, and mince pies 
 
 Stand smoking on the board, 
 With other brave varieties 
 
 Our master doth aiford. 
 
 Our mistress and her cleanly maids 
 
 Have neatly play'd the cooks ; 
 Methinks these dishes eagerly 
 
 At my sharp stomacli looks, 
 As though they w^ere afraid 
 
 To see me draw my blade ; 
 But I reveng'd on them will be 
 
 Until my stomach's stay'd. 
 
 Come fill us of the strongest, 
 
 Small drink is out of date ; 
 Metlnnks I shall fare hke a prince 
 
 A]id sit in gallant state. 
 This is no miser's feast, 
 
 Although that things be dear ; 
 God grant the founder of this feast 
 
 Each Christmas keep good cheer.
 
 AND SONOS. 
 
 This day for Christ we celebrate, 
 
 Who was born at this time ; 
 For which all Christians should rejoice 
 
 And I do sing in rhyme. 
 When jou have given thanks 
 
 Unto your dainties fall ; 
 Heav'n bless my master and my dame, 
 
 Lord bless me and you all. 
 
 A CAROL FOR THE WASSAIL BOWL. 
 
 This carol is from an undated black-letter collection, caUed "New 
 Christmas Carrols : Being fit also to be sung at Easter, AVhitsoiitide, 
 and other Festival days in the year," preserved amongst the books of 
 Anthony a Wood, in the Ashmolean Museum. It bears the title of " A 
 Carrol for a Wassel Bowl to be sung upon Twelfth Day at night— to the 
 tune of Gallants, come away." The custom of bringing in a wassail bowl 
 on Twelfth Night was used in the time of Henry VII, and amongst the 
 Ordinances for his household during Christmas, the following occurs in 
 reference to Twelfth Night :-" Item, the chappell to stand on one side 
 of the Hall, and when the Steward conieth in at the Hall-dore with the 
 Wassell, he must crie three tymes, Wassell, Wassell, Wassell ; and then 
 the chappell to answere with a good song."' 
 
 JOLLY Wassail-bowl, 
 
 A Wassail of good ale. 
 Well fare the butler's soul, 
 That setteth this to sale ; 
 Our jolly Wassail. 
 
 ^ 
 
 f:C.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 Good dame, here at your door, 
 Our Wassail we begin, 
 
 We are all maidens poor, 
 We now pray let us in 
 
 With our Wassail. 
 
 Our Wassail we do fill 
 
 With apples and with spice. 
 
 Then grant us your good will, 
 To taste here once or twice 
 Of our Wassail. 
 
 If any maidens be 
 
 Here dwelling in this house, 
 They kindly will agree 
 To take a full carouse 
 
 Of our Wassail. 
 
 But here they let us stand 
 All freezing in the cold ; 
 
 Good master, give command 
 To enter and be bold, 
 
 With our Wassail. 
 
 Much joy into this hall 
 With us is entered in. 
 
 Our master first of all. 
 We hope will now begin 
 Of our Wassail.
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 And after, his good wife 
 Oui- spiced bowl will try, — 
 
 The Lord prolong your life ! 
 Good fortune we espy 
 
 For our Wassail. 
 
 Some bounty from your hands, 
 Our Wassail to maintain : 
 
 "We'll buy no house nor lands 
 With that which we do gain 
 With our Wassail. 
 
 This is our merry night 
 
 Of choosing King and Queen, 
 Then be it your delight 
 
 That something may be seen 
 In our Wassail. 
 
 It is a noble part 
 
 To bear a liberal mind ; 
 God bless our master's heart ! 
 
 For here we comfort find 
 
 With our Wassail. 
 
 And now we must be gone, 
 To seek out more good cheer ; 
 
 Where bounty will be shown, 
 As we have found it here, 
 
 With our Wassail.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 Much joy betide them all, 
 Our pi'ayers shall be still, 
 
 Wc hope, and ever shall, 
 
 For this your great good will 
 To our Wassail. 
 
 GLOUCESTERSHIRE WASSAILERS' CAROL. 
 
 This carol was seventy years since communicated by Samuel Lysons to 
 Brand, with the information that it was then still sung in Gloucestershire, 
 and that the Wassailers brought with them a great bowl dressed up with 
 garlands and ribbon. The names of the horse, mare, and cow in this 
 copy— Dobbin, Smiler, and Fiilpail— are left blank in Brand's copy, to 
 be supplied by the singers as circumstances required. Persons still 
 living remember the Wassailers singing this carol from house to house 
 in some of the villages by the Severn side below Gloucester, nearly fifty 
 years since, and the custom has been uninterruptedly maintained and 
 still subsists in the western parts of the county. On New Year's Eve, 
 December 31st, 1864, the carol was sung in the little village of Over, 
 near Gloucester, by a troop of V/assailers from the neighbouring village 
 of Minsterworth. 
 
 ASSAIL ! Wassail ! all over the town, 
 Our toast it is white, our ale it is brown ; 
 Our bowl it is made of a maplin tree. 
 We be irood fellows all — I drink to thee. 
 
 Here's to Dobbin, and to his right car, 
 God send our master a happy New Year ; 
 A happy New Year as e'er he did see — 
 With my Wassailing Bowl I drink to thee.
 
 AND SONGS, 
 
 Here's to Smiler, and to her right eje, 
 God send our mistress a good Christmas pie ; 
 A good Christmas pie as e'er I did see — 
 With my Wassailing Bowl I drink to thee. 
 
 Here's to Fillpail, and to her long tail, 
 God send our master us never may fail 
 Of a cup of good beer ; I pray you draw near, 
 And then you shall hear our jolly Wassail. 
 
 Be here any maids ? I suppose there be some — 
 Sure they'll not let young men stand on the cold stone ; 
 Sing hey, O maids, come troll back the pin, 
 And the fairest maid in the house let us all in. 
 
 Come, butler, come bring us a bowl of the best, 
 I hope your soul in heaven will rest ; 
 But if you do bring us a bowl of the small. 
 Then down shall go butler, bowl, and all. 
 
 \Cri 
 
 m
 
 WASSAILERS' CAROL. 
 
 This carol is from a broadside printed at Bradford in Yorkshire within 
 the last twenty years. Its appearance so recently seems to furnish pre- 
 sumptive evidence of the custom of Wassailing, or, at least, some remains 
 of it, being still in existence in the West Hiding of the great northern 
 county. It seems also to have attained some popularity in the adjoining 
 county of Lancaster, having been printed, under the title of a " Wessel 
 Cup Hymn," in a chap-book printed at Manchester, called " A Selection 
 of Christmas Hymns," whence it has been transferred to Mr. Harland's 
 recently published volume of " The Ballads and Songs of Lancashire." 
 Although the carol may in the main be of no great antiquity, it is 
 observable that the penultimate verse is identical with the commence- 
 ment of a short carol printed by Kitson as of the time of James or 
 Charles I. Many single verses, or even shorter fragments of early com- 
 positions, have, there can be no doubt, been handed down by oral repe- 
 tition, and eventually embodied in modern carols. 
 
 ERE we come a wassailing 
 Among the leaves so green, 
 Here we come a wandering, 
 
 So fair to be seen. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Love and joy come to you, 
 And to your wassail too, 
 And God send you a happy new year, 
 A new year ; 
 And God send you a happy new year. 
 Our wassail cup is made of the rosemary tree, 
 So is your beer of the best barley. 
 
 1.52
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS. 
 
 AVe are not daily beggars, 
 That beg from door to door, 
 
 But we are neigbbours' cbildren, 
 Whom you have seen befoi-e. 
 
 Call up the butler of this house, 
 
 Put on his golden ring, 
 Let him bring us up a glass of beer. 
 
 And better we shall sing. 
 
 We have got a little purse 
 
 Made of stretching leather skin. 
 
 We want a little of your money 
 To Hue it well within. 
 
 Bring us out a table. 
 
 And spread it with a cloth, 
 
 Bring us out a mouldy cheese, 
 And some of your Christmas loaf 
 
 God bless the master of this house, 
 Likewise the mistress too ; 
 
 And all the little children. 
 That round the table go. 
 
 Good master and mistress, 
 
 While you're sitting by the fire, 
 
 Pray think of us poor children. 
 Who are wandering in the mire.
 
 CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS. 
 
 The following series of short poems illustrative of old Christmas customs 
 and superstitions is selected from the " Hesperides " of Robert Herriek, 
 first published in 1648. Tew writers have been so thoroughly conver- 
 sant with the popular superstitions of their time, or have so pleasantly 
 interwoven them into their poetry, as Herriek ; hence his verses have a 
 life-like character and a charm which leads captive every reader. 
 
 ON CHRISTMAS EVE. 
 
 On this eve our ancestors were wont to lay a log of wood upon the fire, 
 called a Yule-clog, or log, or Christmas block, to illuminate the house. 
 It was a custom to preserve a portion of this block until the next year, 
 with which to light the new block, and the omission so to do was deemed 
 unlucky. The practice still prevails in many parts of the country. 
 
 n 
 
 M: 
 
 OME bring with a noise, 
 My merry, merry boys, 
 The Christmas log to the firing ; 
 While my good dame, she 
 Bids ye all be free, 
 And drink to yom* heart's desiring. 
 
 With the last year's brand 
 Light the new block, and 
 For good success iu his spending,
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS. 
 
 On jour psalteries plaj, 
 That sweet luck may 
 Come \vhile the loa; is a teendlns:.^ 
 
 Drink now the strong beer, 
 Cut the white loaf here, 
 
 The while the meat is a shredding 
 For the rare mince-pie, 
 And the plums standing by, 
 
 To fill the paste that's a kneading. 
 
 II. 
 
 ON CHRISTMAS EVE. 
 
 ANOTHER CEREMONY. 
 
 The Christmas pie alluded to in these lines was not, as many might sup- 
 pose, a mince-pie— such a Christmas pie as Little Jack Horner sat eating 
 in his corner — but a much more elaborate and extensive compound of 
 good things in use amongst our forefathers in olden times. The records 
 of the Worshipful Company of Salters of London contain a receipt 
 written in 1394, in the reign of Richard II, instructing the cooks of 
 that age how " For to make a moost choyce paaste of gamys to be 
 eaten at y« feste of Chrystemasse," a copy of which, in modern spelling, 
 is here presented for the delectation of the reader. 
 
 " For to make a most choice pasty of game to be eaten at the Feast of 
 Christmas. 
 " Take Pheasant, Hare, and Chicken, or Capon, of each one ; with 
 two Partridges, two Pigeons, and two Conies ; and smite them in pieces, 
 and pick clean away therefrom all the bones that ye may, and therewith 
 do them into a foyle' of good paste, made craftily in the likeness of a 
 bird's body, with the livers and hearts, two kidneys of sheep, and forces^ 
 
 kindling. 
 
 crust. 
 
 3 forced-meat.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 K 
 
 (^^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 and ej'ren' made into balls. Cast thereto powder of pepper, salt, spice, 
 eyseli- and fungus^ pickled ; and then take the bones and let them seethe 
 in a pot to make a good broth therefor, and do it into the foyle of paste, 
 and close it up fast and bake it well, and so serve it forth, with the head 
 of one of the birds stuck at one end of the foyle and a great tail at the 
 other, and divers of his long feathers set in cunningly all about him." 
 
 Christmas pies of large dimensions, prepared somewhat in the same 
 way, continue to be made in some parts of Yorkshire, and from their use 
 being principally confined to that county are commonly called " York- 
 shire pies." 
 
 This custom of sitting up to preserve the Christmas pie from depreda- 
 tors is not mentioned elsewhere than in these lines. 
 
 OME, guard tins uiglit the Christmas pie, 
 Tliat the thief, though ue'er so sly. 
 With his flesh-hooks don't come nigh 
 To catch it 
 From him who all alone sits thei'e, 
 Having his c^'es still in his ear. 
 And a deal of nightly fear, 
 To watch it. 
 
 III. 
 
 TWELFTH NIGHT; 
 
 OE, KING AKD QUEEN. 
 
 The Twelfth Cake was formerly made full of plums, amongst which 
 were placed a bean and a pea. The cake being cut into slices and dis- 
 tributed amongst the company, he to whose lot fell the piece containing 
 the bean was called King, whilst she who obtained the piece holding the 
 pea became Queen, for the evening. This ceremony was also formerly 
 practised in France, under the name of" La Roi de la Feve." 
 
 ' eggs. ^ vinegar. ^ mushrooms.
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Jf 
 
 vi 
 
 OW, now, the mirtli comes, 
 With the cake full of plums, 
 Where Bean's the king of the sport here ; 
 Besides we must know, 
 The Pea also 
 IMiist revel, as queen, in the court here. 
 
 Begin then to choose. 
 
 This night as ye use, 
 AMio shall for the present delight here>.. 
 
 Be a king by the lot. 
 
 And who shall not 
 Be Twelfth-day queen for the night here. 
 
 Which known, let us make 
 
 Joy-sops with the cake ; 
 And let not a man then be seen here. 
 
 Who, unurg'd, will not drmk, 
 
 To the base from the brink, 
 A health to the king and queen here. 
 
 Next crown the bowl full 
 
 With the gentle lamb's- wool,' 
 Add sugar, nutmeg, and ginger. 
 
 With store of ale too ; 
 
 And thus ye must do 
 To make the wassail a swmger. 
 
 > A compound of strong beer, roasted apples, sugar and spice. 
 
 157 
 
 r-^
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS. 
 
 Give then to the king 
 
 And queen wassaiHng ; 
 And, though with ale ye be wet here, 
 
 Yet part ye from hence 
 
 As fi'ee from offence, 
 As when ye innocent met here. 
 
 IV. 
 
 SAINT DISTAFF'S DAY ; 
 
 OR, THE MORROW AFTER TWELFTH-DAY. 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to observe that the name of St. Distaff will not 
 be found in the calendar. The name was applied to this day as being 
 that on which, as the first after the Christmas holidays, the women 
 resumed the distaff and recommenced their usual employment. As, 
 after a cessation from work, people are sometimes reluctant either to 
 resume it themselves, or to allow others to do so, so it appears to have 
 been customary on this day for the indolent amongst the men to set fire 
 to the flax and tow of the more industrious of the fair sex, in retaliation 
 for which the damsels brought pails of water and threw over the men. 
 
 ^VRTLY work and partly play 
 Ye must, on St. Distaff's day ; 
 From the plough soon free your team, 
 Then come home and fodder them ; 
 
 If the maids a spinning go. 
 
 Burn the flax and fire the tow. 
 
 Bring in pails of water then. 
 
 Let the maids be wash the men.
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Give St. Distaff all the riglit, 
 Then hid Christmas sport good night, 
 And next morrow every one 
 To his own vocation. 
 
 CANDLEMAS EVE. 
 
 On this day the Christmas ceremonies, which had lingered on after 
 Twelfth-day, finally closed, and all traces of them were removed. The 
 custom long prevailed, and there must be many still living who can 
 remember the evergreens with which our churches were decorated at 
 Christmas, remaining until Candlemas. 
 
 OWN with the rosemary, and so 
 Down with the bays and mistletoe ; 
 Down mth the holly, ivy, all 
 Wherewith ye deck'd the Christmas hall ; 
 That so the superstitious find 
 No one least branch there left behind : 
 For look ! how many leaves there be 
 Neglected there, Maids, trust to me, 
 So many gohlms you shall see. 
 
 m 
 
 CF^^S^©^
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 VI. 
 
 CANDLEMAS EVE. 
 
 OWN with the rosemary and bays, 
 Down with the mistletoe ; 
 Instead of holly now upraise 
 The ffreener box for show. 
 
 The holly hitherto did sway, 
 
 Let box now domineer, 
 Until the dancing Easter day, 
 
 Or Easter's Eve appear. 
 
 Then youthful box which now hath grace 
 
 Your houses to renew, 
 Grown old, surrender must his place 
 
 Unto the crisped yew. 
 
 When yew is out, then birch comes in, 
 
 And many flowers beside. 
 Both of a fresh and fi-agrant kin, 
 
 To honour Whitsuntide. 
 
 Green rushes then, and sweetest bents. 
 
 With cooler oaken boughs, 
 Come in for comely ornaments. 
 
 To readorn the house. 
 
 Thus times do shift ; each thing his turn does hold ; 
 New things succeed as former things grow old.
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 VII. 
 
 CANDLEMAS DAY. 
 
 The custom noticed in the first of these extracts is here again more 
 particularly mentioned, and a reason for its observance given. 
 
 
 M 
 
 IXDLE the Christmas brand, and then 
 Till sunset let it burn ; 
 Wliich quench'd then lay it up again 
 Till Christmas next return. 
 
 Part must be kept wherewith to toend 
 The Christmas log next year ; 
 
 And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend 
 Can do no mischief there. 
 
 CHRISTMAS'S LAMENTATION. 
 
 Tins piece, having more of the character of a ballad than of a carol, may 
 possibly be considered as rather out of place in the present collection ; 
 but its singularity, its curious exhibition of the decay of hospitality and 
 general degeneracy of the times, and its striking contrast with the fol- 
 lowing carol, which is a kind of reply to it, seemed to call for its inser- 
 tion. It is found on a very rare, and perhaps unique, broadsheet, 
 preserved iu the very valuable collection known as the Eoxburgh 
 Ballads, in the British Museum. The full title is " Christmas' Lamenta- 
 tion for the losse of his acquaintance ; showing how he is forst to leave 
 the Country and come to London. To the tune of Now the Spring is come. 
 I'rinted at London for Ffrancis] C[oles] dwelling in the old Bayly."
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 The mention of " yellow starch " as a fashionable frivolity shows the 
 date of the production of the ballad to be between the latter end of 
 Elizabeth's reign and the close of the year 1615, when "yellow starch" 
 grew into disfavour in consequence, it is said, of Anne Turner, one of 
 the accomplices of King James and the Somersets in the murder of Sir 
 Thomas Overbury, and the introducer of the fashion, appearing at the 
 place of execution, pursuant to her sentence, in " a cobweb lawn ruff of 
 that colour;" — and, what must have appeared more odious still in the 
 eyes of" the fashionable world," the hangman being tricked out for the 
 occasion with " bands and cuffs of yellow." 
 
 Repetitions of words, similar to those forming tlie second and fifth 
 lines of the first verse, occur in every verse of the original ; but as these 
 are only occasioned by the exigencies of the tune to which the ballad is 
 to be sung, it has been thought advisable to omit them in the present 
 copy. 
 
 HRISTMAS is my name, far have I gone, 
 Have I gone, have I gone, have I gone, 
 
 without regard, 
 Whereas great men by flocks there be flown, 
 There be flown, there be flown, there be flown, 
 
 to London-ward ; 
 Wliere they in pomp and pleasure do waste 
 That which Christmas was wonted to feast, 
 
 Welladay ! 
 Houses where music was wont for to ring- 
 Nothing but bats and owlets do sing. 
 
 Welladay ! Welladay ! WeUaday ! 
 where should I stay ? 
 
 Cliristmas beef and bread is turn'd into stones 
 
 and silken rags ; 
 And Lady Money sleeps and makes moans 
 
 in misers' ba«:s : 
 
 162
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Houses where pleasure once did abound, 
 Nouglit but a dog and a shepherd is found, 
 
 Welladay ! 
 PUices where Christmas revels did keep 
 Are now become habitations for sheep. 
 
 Welladay ! Welladay ! Welladay ! 
 where should I stay? 
 
 Pan, the shcphei'd's god, doth deface 
 
 Lady Ceres' crown, 
 And tillage that doth go to decay 
 
 in every town ; 
 Landlords their rents so highly enhance 
 That Pierce, the ploughman, bare-foot may dance ; 
 
 Welladay ! ^ 
 And farmers that Christmas would entertain, 
 Have scarce wherewith themselves to maintain. 
 Welladay ! Welladay ! Welladay ! 
 
 where should I stay ? 
 
 Come to the countryman, he will protest, 
 
 and of bull beef boast ; 
 And for the citizen, he is so hot 
 
 he will burn the roast. 
 The courtier he good deeds will not scorn, 
 Nor will he see poor Christmas forlorn : 
 
 Welladay ! 
 Since none of these good deeds \vill do, 
 Christmas had best turn courtier too. 
 
 Welladay ! Welladay ! Welladay 
 
 where should I stay ?
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 Pride and luxury tliej do devour 
 
 housekeeping quite ; 
 And beggary that doth beget 
 
 in many a knight. 
 Madam, forsooth, in her coach must wheel, 
 Although she wear her hose out at heel, 
 
 Welladay ! 
 And on her back wear that for a weed 
 Which me and all my fellows would feed. 
 Welladay ! Welladay ! Welladay ! 
 
 where should I stay ? 
 
 Since pride came up with the yellow starch, 
 
 poor folks do want, 
 And nothing the Jijch men will to them give, 
 
 but do them taunt ; 
 For Charity from the country is fled, 
 And in her place hath left naught but need ; 
 
 WeUaday ! 
 And corn is grown to so high a price, 
 It makes poor men cry with weeping eyes. 
 Welladay ! Welladay ! Welladay ! 
 
 where should I stay ? 
 
 Briefly for to end, here I do find 
 
 so great vacation, 
 That most great houses seem to attain 
 
 a strong purgation : 
 TVliere purging pills such eftccts they have shown. 
 That forth of doors their owners have thrown, 
 Welladay !
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 And whereas Christmas conies by and calls, 
 Nought but solitary and naked walls. 
 
 Welladay 1 Welladay ! Welladay ! 
 where shall I stay ? 
 
 Philemon's cottage was turned into gold 
 
 for harbouring Jove : 
 Eich men their houses for to keep 
 
 might their greatness move ; 
 But in the city they say they do live, 
 Where gold by handfuls away they do give 
 
 I'll away, 
 And thither therefore I purpose to pass, 
 Hoping at London to find the Golden Ass. 
 I'll away, I'll away, I'll away, 
 for here's no stay. 
 
 OLD CHRISTMAS RETURNED. 
 
 This lively carol, which is a kind of reply to the preceding, exists on a 
 broadsheet preserved amongst the famous collection of ballads, &c. 
 formed by Samuel Pepys, secretary to the Admiralty (whose diary has 
 afforded us so much valuable information and so many an hour's amuse- 
 ment), and by him bequeathed to Magdalene College, Cambridge. The 
 full title runs as follows : — 
 
 " Old Christmas returned, or Hospitality revived ; being a Looking- 
 glass for Kich Misers, wherein they may see (if they be not blind) how 
 much they are to blame for their penurious house-keeping, and likewise
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 an encouragement to those noble-minded gentry, who lay out a great 
 part of their estates in hospitality, relieving such persons as have need 
 thereof : 
 
 " Who feasts the poor, a true reward shall find, 
 Or helps the old, the feeble, lame, and blind. 
 
 " Tune of the Ddiyhts of the Bottle." 
 
 There is scarcely any evil which is wholly unmixed with good, and 
 there is much good which has its concomitant evil. Amongst the few 
 good things which were intermingled with the many evils ensuing on the 
 restoration to political power of the treacherous and depraved Stuarts, 
 the return to the time-honoured custom of celebrating Christmas, both 
 religiously and festively, was one of the most prominent; and it might 
 be supposed, were we to trust to the internal evidence only, that this 
 carol was written to welcome that event, either at the Christmas of 1660, 
 or at the latest of that of 1661. But its being directed to be sung to the 
 tune of a song in Matthew Locke's opera of " Ps3che," w hich was not 
 performed until 1675, shows it to have been written after that date, 
 unless, indeed, we resort to the hypothesis of its having been originally 
 sung to another tune, which became abandoned on account of the popu- 
 larity of Locke's song. 
 
 The line at the commencement of the ninth verse is an allusion to a 
 ballad very popular during the first half of the seventeenth century, 
 entitled " Mock-beggar's Hall stands empty," which was levelled at the 
 prevalent indulgence in external pomp and luxury, to provide the 
 means for w hich the domestic comforts were much reduced and the old 
 hospitality nearly abandoned. " Mock-beggar's Hall " was a name 
 applied to a house having a well-looking exterior but a mean interior. 
 
 LL you that to feasting and mirth are indined, 
 Come, here is good news for to pleasure your mind ; 
 Old Christmas is come for to keep open house, 
 He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse ; 
 Then come, boys, and welcome, for diet the chief, 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 166
 
 AXD SONGS. 
 
 A long time together he hath heen forgot, 
 They scarce could afford for to hang on the pot ; 
 Such miserly sneaking iu England hath been, 
 As by our forefathers ne'er used to be seen ; 
 But, now he's return'd, you shall have in brief, 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 The times were ne'er good since old Christmas was fled. 
 
 And all hospitality hath been so dead, 
 
 No mirth at our festivals late did appear, 
 
 They scarcely would part with a cup of March beer ; 
 
 But now you shall have, for the ease of your grief, 
 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 The butler and baker they now may be glad, 
 
 The times they are mended, though they have been bad ; 
 
 The brewer he likewise may be of good cheer, 
 
 He shall have good trading for ale and strong beer ; 
 
 All trades shall be jolly, and have for relief. 
 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 The holly and ivy about the walls wind. 
 
 And show that we ought to our neighbours be kind, 
 
 Inviting each other for pastime and sport, 
 
 And where we best fare, there we most do resort ; 
 
 We fail not for victuals, and that of the chief. 
 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 The cooks shall be busied,- by day and by night. 
 In roasting and boiling, for taste and delight ; 
 Their senses in liquor that's nappy they'll steep, 
 
 H57
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 Though they be afforded to have little sleep ; 
 They still are employed for to dress us, in brief, 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 Although the cold weather doth hunger provoke, 
 'Tis a comfort to see how the chimneys do smoke ; 
 Provision is making for beer, ale, and wine, 
 For all that are willing or ready to dine ; 
 Then haste to the kitchen for diet the cliief. 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 AU travellers, as they do pass on their way. 
 
 At gentlemen's halls are invited to stay, 
 
 Themselves to refresh, and their horses to rest. 
 
 Since that he must be Old Cliristmas's guest ; 
 
 Nay, the poor shall not want, but have for relief. 
 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 Now Mock-beggar Hall it no more shall stand empty. 
 But all shall be furnished with freedom and plenty ; 
 The hoarding old misers, who used to preserve 
 The gold in their coffers, and see the poor starve. 
 Must now spread their tables, and give them, in brief, 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 The court, and the city, and country are glad ; 
 
 Old Christmas is come to cheer up the sad ; 
 
 Broad pieces and guineas about now shall fly. 
 
 And hundreds be losers by cogging a die ; 
 
 Whilst others are feasting with diet the chief. 
 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef.
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Those that have no coin at the cards for to play, 
 
 May sit by the fire and pass time away, 
 
 And drink of their moisture contented and free ; 
 
 " My honest good fellow, come here is to thee ! " 
 
 And when they are hungry, fall to their relief. 
 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd j>ies, and roast beef. 
 
 Young gallants and ladies shall foot it along, 
 Each room in the house to the music shall throng, 
 Whilst jolly carouses about they shall pass, 
 And each country swain trip about with his lass ; 
 Meantime goes the caterer to fetch in the chief. 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 The cooks and the scullion who toil in their frocks. 
 Their hopes do depend upon their Christmas-box ; 
 There are veiy few that do live on the earth 
 But enjoy at this time either profit or mirth ; 
 Yea, those that arc charged to find all relief. 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 Then well may we welcome Old Christmas to town. 
 Who brings us good cheer and liquor so brown. 
 To pass the cold winter away with delight, 
 "V^'c feast it all day, and we frolic all night ; 
 Both hunger and cold we keep out with relief. 
 Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef. 
 
 Then let all curmudgeons, Avho dote on their wealth, 
 And value their treasure much more than their health.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 Go hang themselves up, if they will be so kind, 
 Old Christmas with them but small welcome shall find : 
 They will not afford to themselves, without grief, 
 Plum-pudduig, goose, capon, minc'd pics, and roast beef. 
 
 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 This is from " New Carolls for this Mery Time of Christmas," pub- 
 lished in 1661, where it is directed to be sung to the tune of " Essex's 
 last Good Night," a ballad written on the untimely fate of Queen Eliza- 
 beth's favourite. The last two verses bear some resemblance to the 
 concluding verse of an old carol of an exceedingly mediocre kind, on 
 St. John the Baptist's day, viz : — 
 
 " Now kindly for my pretty song, 
 
 Good butler, draw some beer ; 
 You know what dainties do belong 
 
 To him that sings so clear. 
 Holly and ivy to drink will drive ye 
 
 To the brown bowl of perry ; 
 Apples and ale, with Christmas tale, 
 
 Will make a household merry." 
 
 LL you that in this house be here, 
 Remember Christ that for us died. 
 And spend away with modest cheer 
 In loving sort this Christmas tide. 
 
 And, whereas plenty God hath sent, 
 Give frankly to your friends in love : 
 
 The bounteous mind is freely bent. 
 And never will a niggard prove.
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Our table spread within tlie hall, 
 I know a banquet is at hand, 
 
 And friendly sort to welcome all 
 That will unto their tacklings stand. 
 
 The maids are bonny girls, I see, 
 
 Who have provided much good cheer, 
 
 \Miich, at my dame's commandment, be 
 Now set upon the table here. 
 
 For I have here two knives in store. 
 To lend to him that wanteth one ; 
 
 Commend my wits, good lads, therefore. 
 That come now hither having none. 
 
 For, if I shoidd, no Christmas pie 
 Would fall, I doubt, unto my share ; 
 
 Wlierefore, I vdll my manhood try. 
 To fight a battle if I dare. 
 
 For pastry-crust, like castle walls. 
 Stands braving me unto my face ; 
 
 I am not well until it falls, 
 
 And I made captain of the place. 
 
 The prunes, so lovely, look on me, 
 I cannot choose but venture on : 
 
 The pie-meat spiced brave I see, 
 The which I must not let alone.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 Then, butler, fill me forth some beer. 
 My song liath made me somewhat dry ; 
 
 And so again to this good cheer, 
 I'll quickly fall com*ageously. 
 
 And for my master I will pray, 
 With all that of his household are, 
 
 Both old and young, that long we may 
 Of God's good blessings have a share. 
 
 A CHRISTMAS SONG. 
 
 The old almanacks occasionally contained carols. The following is from 
 " Poor Kobin's Almanack" for 1695. This almanack enjoyed a long 
 continuance of public favour, having appeared regularly from 1663 to 
 1828. The earlier numbers were said to have been written by Robert 
 Herrick, the poet, from whom also the almanack was supposed to have 
 derived its name. As regards the last particular, however, Antony a 
 Wood gives a different account, viz. that the name was given in deri- 
 sion of Robert Pory, D.D., a noted pluralist, and that a mock " Impri- 
 matur " purporting to bear his signature was placed on the title of the 
 first number. The fullowing lively and genial effusion has somewhat of 
 a spice of Herrick's quality, although it is not at all likely to be of his 
 production, as he died, at a very advanced age, several years before its 
 publication. It is here given from Brand's " Observations on Popular 
 Antiquities," as it has not been found possible to meet with a copy of 
 the almanack for 1695. There appears to have been an additional verse 
 concluding the carol, but of which Brand has perserved the last four 
 lines only, viz ; — 
 
 " But as for curmudgeons 
 
 Who will not be free, 
 I wish they may die 
 
 On the three-legged tree." 
 
 172
 
 AyD soyGS. 
 
 The " three-legged tree " was the erection at Tyburn on which male- 
 factors suffered the extreme penalty of the law. It consisted of tliree 
 horizontal beams joined together in the form of a triangle, and supported 
 by three upright posts. 
 
 
 low thrice welcome Christmas, 
 "Wliich brings us good cheer, 
 ^Miuc'd pies and plum-porridge, 
 Good ale and strong beer ; 
 With pig, goose, and capon, 
 
 The best that can be. 
 So well doth the weather 
 And om- stomachs agree. 
 
 Observe how the chLmnies 
 
 Do smoke all about, 
 The cooks are providing 
 
 For dinner, no doubt ; 
 But those on whose tables 
 
 K"o victuals appeal-, 
 O may they keep Lent 
 
 All the rest of the year ! 
 
 ^^k\ 
 
 With holly and ivy 
 
 So green and so gay ; 
 We deck up our houses 
 
 As fresh as the day, 
 With bays and rosemaiy 
 
 And laurel complete, 
 And every oue now 
 
 Is a king in conceit. 
 
 173
 
 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 This is from '•' Poor Eobin's Almanack " for the year 1700. 
 
 ''OW that the time is come wherein 
 Oiir Saviour Christ was born, 
 The larders full of beef and pork, 
 The gai-ners filled with corn ; 
 As God hath plenty to thee sent, 
 
 Take comfort of thy labours, 
 And let it never thee repent 
 To feast thy needy neighbours. 
 
 Lot fires in every chimney be, 
 
 That people they may warm them ; 
 Tables -vvith dishes covered. 
 
 Good victuals will not harm them. 
 With mutton, veal, beef, pig, and pork, 
 
 Well fiarnish every board. 
 Plum-pudding, furmity, and what 
 
 Thy stock will then afford. 
 
 No niggard of the liquor be, 
 
 Let it go round thy table ; 
 People may freely drink, but not 
 
 So long as they are able. 
 
 174
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS. 
 
 Good customs thej may be abused, 
 Which makes rich meu so slack us, 
 
 This feast is to reheve the poor. 
 And uot to drunken Bacchus. 
 
 Thus if thou doest, 
 
 T'will credit raise thee ; 
 God will thee bless, 
 
 And neighbours praise thee. 
 
 THE APPROACH OF CHRISTMAS. 
 
 This carol, which is occasionally found elsewhere, under the title of " A 
 Hint to the Fanaticks," originally appeared in " Poor Robin's Almanack " 
 for 1711. 
 
 OW Christmas Day approaches near. 
 Trim up the house with holly. 
 And set abroach the strongest beer, 
 For neighbours to be jolly. 
 Let fanatics old customs blame, 
 Yet Christmas is a High day, 
 Though they will fast upon the same. 
 And feast upon Good Friday. 
 
 Good works are popishly inclined, 
 
 Say they that none will do, 
 Yet they for pride can money find. 
 
 And keep a coach also.
 
 ^st\jiXi\. 
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 PJ 
 
 Thus, that wliich should relieve the poor, 
 
 And feast them at this tide, 
 Is spent upon a coach and four. 
 
 To maintain foolish pride. 
 
 ^■^ 
 
 Yet some there are, although hut few, 
 
 In whom more goodness lurks, 
 ^V^10, to the poor will pity show, 
 
 And show their faith by works. 
 I wish, for one, that these were twain. 
 
 And knaves away all swept. 
 That honest Christmas once again 
 
 With feasting may be kept. 
 
 CHRISTMAS CHEER. 
 
 These lines appeared in " Poor Kobin's Almanack " for 1723. In the 
 observations in the almanack on the month of December, the following 
 remarks occur, which, as showing some of the customs of the period, are 
 not undeserving of preservation. The writer, it will be observed, has 
 not omitted the customary growl at the degeneracy of the age, al- 
 though he has coached it under the milder form of the expression of a 
 hope. " Now comes on old merry plentiful Christmas. The Husband- 
 man lays his great Log behind the fire, and with a few of his neighbours 
 over a good fire, taps his Christmas beer, cuts his Christmas cheese, and 
 sets forward for a merry Christmas. The Landlord (for we hope there 
 are yet some generous ones left) invites his Tenants and Labourers, and
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 with a good Sirloin of Roast Beef, and a few pitchers of nappy ale or 
 beer, he wisheth them all a merry Christmas. The beggar begs his 
 bread, sells some of it for money to buy drink, and without fear of being 
 arrested, or call'd upon for parish duties, has as merry a Christmas as 
 any of them all." 
 
 OW Christmas time is coming on, 
 And, painful Harvest past and gone ; 
 Now reap the fruit of al! your care 
 With Christmas pics and good strong beer. 
 
 Sirloins of beef and hams of bacon, 
 
 With hollow meats,^ roast goose and capon ; 
 
 With good strong liquor ; but take care 
 
 To let the poor come in for share. 
 
 Now hey for Christmas, let the spits go round. 
 Let cauldrons boil and pies i' th' oven be found. 
 May they who now deny themselves good cheer, 
 Against their wills keep strict Lent all the year. 
 
 J-: 
 
 ^^ 
 
 @^ 
 
 poultry, rabbits, &c. 
 
 '(SsS 
 
 m>
 
 Tzr 
 
 A CHRISTMAS SONG. 
 
 This song is from a very curious and uncommon little book, entitled 
 " Bound About our Coal Fire, or Christmas Entertainments ;" which 
 treats not only of "the Mirth and Jollity of the Christmas Holidays; 
 viz : Christmas Gambols, Eating, Drinking, Kissing, and other Diver- 
 sions;" but of a variety of other things, such as Hobgoblins, Ghosts, 
 Witches, Fairies, Jack the Giant-killer, and (that never-ceasing complaint) 
 the Decay of Hospitality. The fourth edition of this work (the earliest 
 known) appeared in 1734. The song here given serves as a '' Prologue " 
 to the book. The tune named in the last verse but one is that of a 
 country dance which enjoyed a lengthened career of popularity. That 
 amusing gossip, Pepys, mentions it in his account of a Court ball at 
 which he was present on New Year's Eve, 1662. "Mr. Povy and I to 
 White Hall ; he taking me thither on purpose to carry me into the ball 
 this night before the King [Charles II.]. He brought me first to the 
 Duke's chamber, where I saw him and the Duchesse at supper; and 
 thence into the room where the ball was to be, crammed with fine ladies, 
 the greatest of the Court. By and by, comes the King and Queene, the 
 Duke and Duchesse, and all the great ones : and after seating themselves, 
 the King takes out the Duchesse of York ; and the Duke the Duchesse 
 of Buckingham ; the Duke of Monmouth my Lady Castlemaine ; and so 
 other lords other ladies ; and they danced the Brantle [Braule.] After 
 that, the King led a lady a single Coranto ; and then the rest of the 
 lords, one after another, other ladies : very noble it was, and great 
 pleasure to see. Then to country dances ; the King leading the first, 
 which he called for ; which was, sai/s he, ' Cuckolds all awry,'' the old dance 
 of England." The tune may be seen in Mr. Chappell's excellent work, 
 " Popular Music of the Olden Time." 
 
 1) 
 
 178
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS. 
 
 m 
 
 YOU merry, merry soiils, 
 Christmas is a coming ; 
 
 We sliall have flo\viug bowls, 
 Dancing, piping, drumming. 
 
 Delicate minced pies, 
 
 To feast every \'irgin, 
 Capon and goose likewise. 
 
 Brawn, and a dish of sturgeon. 
 
 Then for your Christmas-box 
 Sweet plum cakes and money, 
 
 Delicate Holland smocks, 
 Kisses sweet as honey. 
 
 Hey for the Christmas ball, 
 "Where we shall be jolly ; 
 
 CoupUng short and tall, 
 
 Kate, Dick, Ealph, and Molly. 
 
 Then to the hop we'll go, 
 
 Where we'll jig and caper 
 " Cuckolds all a-row ; " 
 
 Will shall pay the scraper. 
 
 Hodge shall dance with Prue, 
 Keeping time with kisses ; 
 
 We'll have a jovial crew 
 Of sweet smirking misses. 
 
 (£v
 
 WELCOME, MERRY CHRISTMAS. 
 
 Tnis very pleasing carol, in all probability one of the latest productions 
 of its class, is from a broadside printed at Devonport, and intended for 
 circulation throughout Devonshire, Cornwall, and Monmouthshire. It 
 furnishes evidence of considei-able abilitj' in the unknown writer, and we 
 might look in vain, perhaps, for a better exhortation to remembrance of 
 the Psalmist's text, " Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy ; 
 the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble." 
 
 E merry all, be merry all, 
 With holl}^ dress the festive hall, 
 Prepare the song, the feast, the ball. 
 To welcome merry Christmas. 
 
 And oh ! remember, gentles gay, 
 For you who bask in fortune's ray. 
 The year is all a holiday, — 
 
 The poorhave only Christmas. 
 
 When you with velvets mantled o'er 
 Defy December's tempest's roar, 
 Oh, spare one garment from your store. 
 To clothe the poor at Christmas. 
 
 When you the costly banquet deal 
 To guests, who never famine feel, 
 Oh, spare one morsel from your meal, 
 To feed the poor at Christmas. 
 
 180
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS. 
 
 When gen'rous wine your care controls, 
 And gives new joy to happiest souls, 
 Oh, spare one goblet fi'oni your bowls, 
 To cheer the poor at Christmas. 
 
 So shall each note of mirth appear 
 
 More sweet to heaven than praise or prayer, 
 
 And Angels, in their Carols there, 
 
 Shall bless the poor at Christmas. 
 
 THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. 
 
 This piece is found on broadsides printed at Newcastle at various periods 
 during the last hundred and fifty years. On one of these sheets, nearly 
 a century old, it is entitled "An Old English Carol," but it can scarcely 
 be said to fall within that description of composition, being rather fitted 
 ft)r use in playing the game of " Eorfeits," to which pui'poso it was 
 commonly applied in the mi^trcpolis upwards of forty years since. The 
 practice was for one person in the company to recite the first three lines ; 
 a second, the four following ; and so on ; the person who failed in 
 repeating her portion correctly being subjected to some trifling forfeit. 
 The lady who was the favoured recipient of the gifts enumerated must 
 have required no small extent of shelf or table room for their accommo- 
 dation, as at the end of the Christmas festivities she must have found 
 herself in possession of twelve partridges in pear trees, twenty-two 
 turtle-doves, thirty French hens, thirty-six colley [i. e. black] birds, 
 forty gold rings, forty-two laying geese, forty-two swimming swans, 
 forty milk-maids, thirty-six drummers, thirty pipers, twenty-two dancing 
 ladies, and twelve leaping lords ; in all three hundred and sixty-four 
 articles, one for each day in the year save one. This piece is now 
 printed for the first time in a collection of carols.
 
 FESTIVE CAROLS 
 
 HE first clay of Christmas 
 My true love sent to me 
 A partridge iu a pear-tree. 
 
 The second day of Christmas 
 My true love sent to me 
 Two turtle-doves and 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 The third day of Christmas 
 My true love sent to me 
 Thi-ee French hens, 
 Two turtle-doves, and 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 The fourth day of Christmas 
 My true love sent to me 
 Four coUey birds, 
 Three French hens, 
 Two turtle-doves, and 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 The fifth day of Christmas 
 My true love sent to me 
 Five gold rings, 
 Four coUey birds. 
 Three French hens. 
 Two turtle-doves, and 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 182
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 The sixth day of Christmas 
 My true love sent to me 
 Six geese a-lajing, 
 Five gold rings, 
 Four coUey birds, 
 Three French hens, 
 Two turtle-doves, and 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 The seventh day of Christmas 
 
 My true love sent to me 
 
 Seven swans a-swamming. 
 
 Six geese a-laying, 
 
 Five gold rings. 
 
 Four colley birds, 
 
 Three French hens, 
 
 Two tm-tle-doves, and 
 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 The eighth day of Christmas 
 
 My trae love sent to me 
 
 Eight maids a-milking, 
 
 Seven swans a-swimming, 
 
 Six geese a-laying. 
 
 Five gold rings, 
 
 Fom' colley bu-ds, 
 
 Three French hens, 
 
 Two tm-tle-doves, and 
 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 t 
 
 m 
 
 ^ a—nOl
 
 FESTIVE CAllOLS 
 
 The niutli day of Christmas 
 My true love sent to mo 
 Nine drummers drumming, 
 Eight maids a-milking, 
 Seven swans a-swimming, 
 Six geese a-layiug, 
 Five gold rings, 
 Four colley birds, 
 Three French hens, 
 Two turtle-doves, and 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 LV^ 
 
 The tenth day of Christmas 
 My true love sent to me 
 Ten pipers piping, 
 Nine drummers drumming. 
 Eight maids a-milking, 
 Seven swans a-swimmiug, 
 Six geese a-laying. 
 Five gold rings, 
 Four colley birds. 
 Three French hens. 
 Two turtle-doves, and 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 The eleventh day of Christmas 
 My true love sent to me 
 Eleven ladies dancing, 
 Ten pipers piping,
 
 AND SONGS. 
 
 Nine drummers drumming, 
 Eight maids a-milkiug, 
 Seven swans a-swimming, 
 Six geese a-laying, 
 Five gold rings, 
 Four colley birds. 
 Three French hens, 
 Two tui'tle-doves, and 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 The twelfth day of Christmas 
 
 My true love sent to me 
 
 Twehe lords a-leaping, 
 
 Eleven ladies dancing, 
 
 Ten pipers piping, 
 
 Nine drummers drumming, 
 
 Eight maids a-milking. 
 
 Seven swans a-swimming, 
 
 Six geese a-laying. 
 
 Five gold rings, 
 
 Four colley birds, 
 
 Three French hens, 
 
 Two turtle-doves, and 
 
 A partridge in a pear-tree. 
 
 '^ 
 
 hi 
 
 "!)) 
 
 BB
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TU^^ES. 
 
 cu^^
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 Carol for CIjn!2itma0 €hz. 
 
 —I 1-1 1 1 1 l-^T 1 1 1 
 
 The Lord at first did Adam make Out of the dust and clay, And 
 
 gl^^^^^r^^ 
 
 It: 
 
 :?=± 
 
 
 J:^ 
 
 tf-t 
 
 
 =t 
 
 SE^ESti 
 
 
 ■a— a ■ .- fl ^ " ^ a- 
 1^ M I I I 
 in his nostrils breathed life. E'en as the Scriptures say; And then in Eden's 
 
 A- 
 
 PSS&i^ 
 
 =t=]: 
 
 ji_^ 
 
 :?=^= 
 
 igizip: 
 
 :q^: 
 
 p=3:e£S; 
 
 
 sat 
 
 Zi n 1 
 
 
 Pa-radiseHe plac-ed him to dwell, I'hat hewith-in it should remain To 
 
 A- 
 
 'il3 
 
 :qfl 
 
 Stf; 
 
 ESSIES; 
 
 IT
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 
 dress and keep It well. Now let good Christians all begin An ho-lylife to 
 
 '^^=F 
 
 13: 
 
 :t:=P: 
 
 -V- 
 
 t^h. 
 
 '^ r ' ' I ' '^ ' r r f I 
 
 live, And to re -joice and merry be, For this is Christmas Eve. 
 -Sl m.--m-m m^JL 1 __ \ _p_l 
 
 '^^0: 
 
 •:rf=!=Sn 
 
 t-C 
 
 -^- 
 
 ic: 
 
 -ts- 
 
 -*■ ! 
 
 189
 
 cirnrsTMAs carol tcnes. 
 
 <Dn Ct)n'c(rmacl SDap in rljc Qr^orniiuj. 
 
 • . 1^ . . ... *->!•._ 1 ___ _ /-l-_* . I T 
 
 I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day, on Christmas day. I 
 
 m m^^^^^^^ 
 
 saw three ships come sail-ing in on Christmas day in the morning. 
 
 M. ^- -^ -»- ^f- -i- :?" -<»- -m-^-t: -^.- 
 
 Li^feg^^gi 
 
 ^!i
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 (BotJ rc0t poll, St^ccrp (Bcntlcmen. 
 
 pi 
 
 ZE 
 
 7 
 
 t=* 
 
 ^^•^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 =3=^=5 
 
 God rest you, mer-ry gen- tie-men, Let no-thing you dis- may. Re- 
 
 ^^^^S 
 
 
 i 
 
 =^ 
 
 mbcr Christ our Sa-vi-our Was bom on Christmas day, To save us all from 
 
 PeI^^Si^ 
 
 s«^ 
 
 1^^ 
 
 _ ' -•_ ' . f\ ^* j:_.. _r »<s.«» r^w^ An<^ 
 
 Satan's pow'r,\Vhen we were gone a - stray. O ti-dings of com-fort and 
 
 -^ 
 
 =^^g ^^c ^^&: ^^^^gS 
 
 jo^', and joy, O ti - dings of com - fort and joy. 
 
 m 
 
 '^felE 
 
 101
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 (^ 
 
 t:. 
 
 Si (Efrgiii moist pure* 
 
 d r iT I 
 
 =lv 
 
 ^^ 
 
 A Vir-gin most pure, as the pro-phets did tell. Hath 
 
 ^S*?:g^^S 
 
 fe^Uit 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 -l 1 — •- 
 
 -I ^ 
 
 ilfc^ 
 
 -^^ 
 
 
 i^jt 
 
 a=:t^ 
 
 rrrrr^r-r? ^ 
 
 brought forth a Ba-by as 
 
 I I 
 
 it hath be - fcl, To be our Re- 
 
 -M: 
 
 t=^=^ 
 
 :S5: 
 
 ^^ 
 
 -' — h- 
 
 ^ 
 
 T=i± 
 
 m^m 
 
 - deem-er from death, hell, and sin, SVhich Adam's trans-gres-sion hath 
 
 
 ^Szt 
 
 :fc 
 
 ±zt 
 
 tg: 
 
 f 
 
 :^-t^ 
 
 :=^: 
 
 wrapped us in; Re-joiceand be mer - ry, set sor - row a- 
 
 
 
 i=i: 
 
 
 jt^ 
 
 itzj: 
 
 ^1^ 
 
 - side, Christ Je - sus, our Sa-viour, was born on this tide. 
 
 Efeti^ 
 
 :p=?= 
 
 
 =s=n 
 
 J=i=
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 I^cmembec, <X> djou man> 
 
 T/ie original vocal harmony as published in 1611. 
 
 
 Re -mem-ber, O thou man, O thou man, O thou man, Re-mem-ber, 
 
 
 :f2Z=^ 
 
 :^^:?= 
 
 :?2:ia= 
 
 :t=l= 
 
 Re-mem-ber, O thou man, O thou man, O thou man, Re-mem-ber, 
 
 T_SSE^ 
 
 Re - mem-ber, O thou man, O thou man, O thou man, Re-mem-ber, 
 
 
 ±=2: 
 
 :f2:i:p=s; 
 
 e 
 
 S±fcS 
 
 -I — h 
 
 ^=3=g:d 
 
 Re - mem-ber, O thou man, O thou man, O thou man, Re-mem-ber, 
 
 rfc 
 
 J 
 
 at^: 
 
 rJ rJ 
 
 'j:21 
 
 --^=^ 
 
 w± 
 
 O thou man, Thy time is spent, Re-mem-ber, O thou man, 
 
 ?2=^2: 
 
 :sz=22=e2:. 
 
 t=: 
 
 ^^^gj 
 
 O thou man. Thy time is spent, Re-mem-ber, O thou man, 
 
 M=>^2:TZi=:;;q=!=i=:=t 
 
 ;2- 
 
 ^-=^ 
 
 -S^ 
 
 :p=2z:=S23zP 
 
 -I ^ 
 
 O thou man, Thy time is spent, Re-mem-ber, O thou man. 
 
 ^- >7 f -^ • f P ' 
 
 ±^ 
 
 :g=^z=^.z^:i=i=i^ 
 
 O thou man. Thy time is spent, Re-mem-ber, O thou man 
 
 ^a 
 
 22=22: 
 
 V 
 
 t 
 
 4=f 
 
 22=^: 
 
 Jt22^-*- 
 
 m 
 
 -Gi- 
 
 How thou art dead and gone. And I did what I can: Therefore re -pent. 
 
 :^i?c 
 
 tidzt: 
 
 s 
 
 How thou art dead and gone. And I did what I can: Therefore re - pent 
 
 5=?=^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■<S^-- 
 
 tt: 
 
 rj=g: -^g^ 
 
 4=: 
 
 
 ±j 
 
 How thou art dead and gone. And I did what I can: Therefore re - pent. 
 
 h^-^-p- 
 
 ^^S 
 
 i 
 
 : ^-r-p- 
 
 lz=t=;t 
 
 32q 
 
 :^q=t=: 
 
 -e>-i-9-&- 
 
 — ■ 1 '— — •-k— — I — ' — ^ G' — 
 
 How thou art dead and gone. And I did what I can: Therefore re - pent. 
 
 A' 
 
 c/C 
 
 12) «
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 %\^z Cljerr^'-tree Carol, 
 
 . f r ' i ^ — ^si — — fT- 
 
 Jo-sephwas an old man. And an old man was he; 
 
 > I r r ^-r r i —ft f s— i 
 
 ? 
 
 1==* 
 
 ^gi^^ 
 
 r-1-T" 
 
 PI — I 
 
 J 
 
 1221 
 
 ^•i3 
 
 And he mar-ried Ma - ry. The queen of Ga - li - lee, 
 
 JJJ_J ! J r, J 
 
 ^— » 
 
 J- 
 
 ii 
 
 ^^ 
 
 rpzzt 
 
 .^1- 
 
 :f=t 
 
 194
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 Carol for tlje Cpfpljanp, 
 
 V 
 
 ^ 
 
 i^^ 
 
 njt?: 
 
 -^=^^ 
 
 ii 
 
 =^=^ 
 --g^^^ 
 
 The first No - el The An-gel did say, Was to three poor 
 
 g=i=:F^^ 4-HJ-J- d= 
 
 -^tk 
 
 ^ 
 
 5=±i 
 
 I— U4- 
 
 17 
 
 ^ 
 
 -f^ 
 
 i:i^=i 
 
 fcl 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 <N I , >._ gi 
 
 .^z-l 
 
 shepherds in fields a s they lay, 1 In fields where they lay, keeping their 
 
 j-2za| I i 
 
 izz: 
 
 :t=i: 
 
 :^ 
 
 
 ^fl=q 
 
 sheep. In a cold winter's night that was so d eep. No - el. No 
 
 
 -^ 
 
 t=. 
 
 =P=^ 
 
 . - - el. No - el, No - el. Born is the Kmg of Is - ra - el. 
 
 O 
 
 )%'• 
 
 195
 
 €^ 
 
 OSBISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 SiAly^sSp' 
 
 H 
 
 ^e: 
 
 — ^-^^=^^=*- "^ « J- - ib 
 
 i*»^^ 
 
 = ; I I - 
 
 As it fell out one May morning, And up - on abrightho - li - 
 
 ^-r 
 
 g-^^e- 
 
 
 i=i 
 
 fr 
 
 :?in^ 
 
 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 t; 
 
 t 
 
 Ktip 
 
 
 --day. Sweet Jc-susask'd of His dear mo-ther. If He might go to 
 
 !** 
 
 If ' i 
 
 play " To play, to play,sweet Je-sus shall go. And to play now get you 
 
 I i J J I J- J^ J J iq j . 
 
 _-e- 
 
 :?=?: 
 
 :^ 
 
 gone, And let me hear of no complaint At night when you come home." 
 
 ,Si^_^.J-:^^^ .1 J, J J-J,-J^-, 
 
 l:g=^5^E ; 
 
 -G>- 
 
 r=^ 
 
 22: 
 
 ■i 
 
 196
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES, 
 
 Carol on fannying: in ttie Boar'0 l)eali. 
 
 Annually sung at Queen's College, Oxford. 
 
 Solo. 
 
 EBEidEiE; 
 
 ' ^1 II > I I I I r r I J 
 
 IGlt 
 
 The boar's head in hand bear I, Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary, And I 
 
 BEE 
 
 n^^^ 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 ■^-J^ 
 
 s 
 
 Jizz9=z4ziMz=ML 
 
 sH=i 
 
 :^:i:Sit«=#=i::^ 
 
 I I.. I i I I 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 ^zt 
 
 ^ I ! ' I . . , 
 pray you, my mas-ters, be mer-rj'Quot es - tis in con- vi - vi - o. 
 
 ffr 
 
 ^r^- 
 
 -2iL 
 
 
 J^w=^ 
 
 t=st 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 - Q I ^ I h-\ 1 r. . . ) T-T S-4-, 
 
 Ca - put A - pri dc - fe - ro Reddens lau -des Do -mi- no. 
 
 T : T p- -^- -«- -1^ -,s>- _ _ _ ^ « -£?- 
 
 5'^«=!t 
 
 ^-1-^. 
 
 pi 
 
 -P— s 
 
 S'^:M^ 
 
 ©^@?> 
 
 vl 
 
 197
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 ^U pou ttjat are poll fcUotoiS, 
 
 -i^i 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 -f- g: -^ 
 
 '-E± 
 
 S 
 
 :t: 
 
 :^: 
 
 ^ir^ 
 
 AU you that are good fcl-lows,Comc hearken to my song: 1 
 
 --g^S^,:M-dddJ 
 
 -:j , J J 
 
 ki^ 
 
 i 
 
 -^ — I- 
 
 T=if 
 
 2t 
 
 i 
 
 M"^=rr=r-T^T^ 
 
 know you do not hate good cheer, Nor li - quor that is strong ; I 
 
 :t=S: 
 
 :S=i: 
 
 -^ 
 
 lart, See - 
 
 hope there is none here 
 
 
 But soon will take my part, 
 
 f 
 
 -• ,■ IT 
 
 
 'I I ' I r r r 
 
 ing my mas-ter and my dame Say "welcome" with their heart. 
 
 m^^ 
 
 It: 
 
 :f=t 
 
 :t=: 
 
 198
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 (Bloucc0tcr0f)irc (Iila30ailer0' »)ong:» 
 
 SE^S^ 
 
 tr— i: 
 
 rr^ 
 
 zzqs;-v_i_J^JSv_=i: 
 
 ?^ 
 
 r^F^^* 
 
 Wassail, wassail all o-ver the town, Our toast it is white,our ale it is bro\\Ti,Our 
 
 .•|S 
 
 rw-^ 
 
 tg^: 
 
 =^l»=^- 
 
 NV-^. 
 
 
 g 
 
 bowl it is made of a map-lin tree, We be good fellows all, I drink to thee 
 
 -# 1-T — h-l — -1 — r:: h -|— r x""^- 
 
 ^=c 
 
 f-y— ^ 
 
 :i=*: 
 
 ^W 
 
 '^
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL TUNES. 
 
 Sill pou tljat in tt)i5( Ijo"!^^ bf !)ft:e» 
 
 
 =^^^^.] 
 
 All you ihat in this house be here, Remember Christ, that for us died, And 
 
 , J i J J, j-jUJ-jU-j-j-, 
 
 i 
 
 g _j_g_! 
 
 #— •-■ 
 
 t) 
 
 ^=i: 
 
 :p=i? 
 
 ^F=^ 
 
 ,tz«zizK=::.-it=* 
 
 =P=T- 
 
 ^^i=7 
 
 -rrr 
 
 ^=q=^ 
 
 il=it=i: 
 
 spend a - way with mo-dest cheer, In lo-vingsort this Christmas tide. 
 
 it|t
 
 INDEX. 
 
 BABE is born 
 A bone God wot . 
 A jolly VTassail-bowl 
 Alleluia now sing wc 
 All under the leaves 
 
 All you that are good fellows 
 
 All you that are to mirth inclined 
 
 All you that in this house be here 
 
 All vou that to feasting and mirth are inclined 
 
 An earthly tree a heavenly fruit it bare 
 
 Angel Gabriel (The) . 
 
 A New Dial 
 
 Approach of Christmas (The) 
 
 As I passed by a river side . 
 
 As I sat on a sunny bank 
 
 As I sat under a sycamore tree 
 
 As it fell out one May morning 
 
 As it fell out upon a day 
 
 At the beginning of the meat 
 
 A Virgin most pure 
 
 Babe of Bethlehem (The) . 
 Be merrj' all, be merry all . 
 Be we merry in this feast . 
 Birth of Christ (A Carol of the) 
 Boar's head (Carols on bringing in the)
 
 INDEX. 
 
 ft 
 
 01 
 
 Candlemas Day (Carol for) . 
 
 Candlemas Eve (Carols for) . 
 
 Caput Apri dcfero 
 
 Carnal and the Crane (Tlie) . 
 
 Cast off all doubtful care 
 
 Cherry-tree Carol (The) 
 
 Christmas Cheer . 
 
 Christmas Customs " . 
 
 Christmas Day (Carols for) . 
 
 Christmas day in the morning (On) 
 
 Christmas Eve (Carols for) . 
 
 Christmas is my name 
 
 Christmas's Lamentation 
 
 Christo paremus canticam . 
 
 Come, behold the Virgin Mother 
 
 Come, bring with a noise 
 
 Come guard this night the Christmas pie 
 
 Come, rejoice all good Christians . 
 
 Contest of the Ivy and tlie Holly (The) 
 
 Dives and Lazarus .... 
 Down with the rosemary and bays 
 Down with the rosemary and so . 
 
 Epiphany (Carols for the) . 
 
 From Virgin's womb this day did spring 
 
 Give way, give way, ye gates 
 Gloucestershire Wassailers' Carol 
 God bless the master of this house 
 God rest you merry gentlemen . 
 
 Hark ! all around the welkin rings 
 Here comes Holly that Is so gent 
 Here we come a wassailing . 
 Hey, hey, the Boar's head is armW gay 
 Holly and Ivy made a great party 
 Holy Well (The) . . . . 
 
 IG, 18, 
 
 19, 
 
 3, 1 
 
 Page 
 
 161 
 
 159, 160 
 
 119 
 
 97 
 
 18 
 
 58 
 
 176 
 
 154 
 
 38, 127 
 
 24 
 
 54, 155 
 
 161 
 
 161 
 
 53 
 
 70 
 
 154 
 
 155 
 
 65 
 
 131 
 
 95 
 160 
 159 
 
 79, 82 
 
 16 
 
 143 
 
 150 
 
 137 
 
 27 
 
 74 
 129 
 152 
 116 
 128 
 
 91
 
 INDEX. 
 
 How graml and how bright 
 
 I am liere, Sir Christ-his-raaas 
 
 In Bethlehem, that noble place 
 
 In friendly love and unity . 
 
 Innocents (Carol of the) 
 
 In the reign of great Caesar 
 
 I saw three ships come sailing in 
 
 I sing not of Roman . 
 
 It is the day, the Holy day . 
 
 Ivy chief of trees it is . 
 
 Joseph was an old man 
 
 Joyful sounds of salvation (The) 
 
 Joy to the world, the Lord is come 
 
 Kindle the Christmas brand 
 
 LuUa lullaby, my sweet little baby 
 
 Make we mirth for Christ His birth 
 Man's Duty 
 
 Mark this song for it is true 
 Miracles of Christ (The) . 
 Mortals, awake, with Angels join , 
 My heart of gold as true as steel 
 
 Nay, Ivy, nay, it shall not be 
 
 New Dial (A) . 
 
 New Year's day (Carol for) . 
 
 Noel, Noel, tidings good 
 
 Noel, Noel, who is there 
 
 Now Christmas day approaches near 
 
 Now Christmas time is coming on 
 
 Nowell, el, el, now is well . 
 
 Now is Christmas i-come 
 
 Now, now the mirth comes . 
 
 Now that the time is come . 
 
 Now thrice welcome Christmas 
 
 O God, that guides, the cheerful sun 
 Old Christmas returned 
 
 Page 
 36 
 
 127 
 54 
 43 
 45 
 56 
 24 
 
 121 
 38 
 
 130 
 
 58 
 56 
 73 
 
 161 
 
 49 
 
 8 
 109 
 
 45 
 104 
 
 76 
 134 
 
 131 
 
 107 
 
 78 
 
 124 
 
 127 
 
 175 
 
 176 
 
 52 
 
 79 
 
 156 
 
 174 
 
 172 
 
 78 
 165
 
 INDEX. 
 
 On Cliristmas day in tlie morning 
 One God, one Baptism, and one Faitli 
 One God there is of wisdom, glory, mig 
 you merry, merry souls . 
 
 Tartly work and partly play 
 Po, po, I love brawn . 
 
 Rejoice, rejoice with heart and voice 
 TJemenibcr, O thou man 
 
 St. Distaff's day .... 
 St. Stephen's day (Carols for) 
 St. Stephen was a clerk 
 Seven Virgins (The) . 
 Sinner's Redemption, (The) 
 So now is come our joyful'st feast 
 
 The Angel Gabriel from God was sent 
 
 The approach of Cliristmas . 
 
 Tiie Babe of Bethlehem 
 
 The Boar his head in hand I bring 
 
 The Boar is dead 
 
 The Boar's head in hand bear I . 
 
 The Boar's head in hand bring I . 
 
 The Boar's head that we bring here 
 
 The Carnal and the Crane . 
 
 The Cherry-tree Carol 
 
 The Contest of the Ivy and the Holly 
 
 The first day of Christmas . 
 
 The first da}- of Yule . 
 
 The first good joy our Mary had . 
 
 The first Xoel the Angel did say . 
 
 The golden time is now at hand . 
 
 The holly and the ivy now are both well grown 
 
 The Holy Well .... 
 
 The joyful sounds of salvation 
 
 The Lord at first did Adam make 
 
 The Miracles of Christ 
 
 Page 
 
 24 
 
 107 
 
 109 
 
 178 
 
 158 
 118 
 
 16 
 32 
 
 158 
 40, 43 
 
 40 
 105 
 
 20 
 138 
 
 68 
 
 175 
 
 71 
 
 116 
 
 125 
 
 120 
 
 119 
 
 124 
 
 97 
 
 58 
 
 131 
 
 181 
 
 8 
 
 87 
 
 82 
 
 10 
 
 85 
 
 91 
 
 56 
 
 3 
 
 104
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Tlie moon shone bright 
 
 The most worthy she is in town 
 
 The Seven Virgins 
 
 The Sinner's Redemption 
 
 The three kings . 
 
 The twelve days of Christmas 
 
 The twelve good joys of Mary 
 
 The Virgin and Child 
 
 The Worcestershire Christmas Carol 
 
 This day Christ was bom 
 
 This endris night I saw a sight 
 
 Tidings I bring you for to tell 
 
 Twelfth night Carol 
 
 Virgin and Child (The) 
 
 Wassail Songs .... 
 Wassail ! Wassail ! all over the town 
 Welcome be Thou, heaven's king 
 Welcome, merry Christmas 
 Welcome, Yule 
 When Christ was born 
 When Jesus the Lord 
 Worcestershire Christmas Carol (The) 
 
 205
 
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