In The Yule-Log Glow, Vol. IV | Page 3

people?Upon this time was born,?Who did from death deliver us.?When we were left forlorn.
Then let us all most merry be,?And sing with cheerful voice,?For we have good occasion now?This time for to rejoice.
For, etc.
Then put away contention all,?And fall no more at strife,?Let every man with cheerfulness?Embrace his loving wife.
For, etc.
With plenteous food your houses store,?Provide some wholesome cheer,?And call your friends together?That live both far and near.
For, etc.
Then let us all most merry be,?Since that we are come here,?And we do hope before we part?To taste some of your beer.
For, etc.
Your beer, your beer, your Christmas beer,?That seems to be so strong;?And we do wish that Christmas-tide?Was twenty times so long.
For, etc.
Then sing with voices cheerfully,?For Christ this time was born,?Who did from death deliver us,?When we were left forlorn.
For, etc.
A CHRISTMAS CHORUS.
Here is joy for every age--?Every generation;?Prince and peasant, chief and sage,?Every tongue and nation,?Every tongue and nation,?Every rank and station,?Hath to-day salvation.
Alleluia!
When the world drew near its close,?Came our Lord and leader;?From the lily came the rose,?From the bush the cedar,?From the bush the cedar,?From the judge the pleader,?From the saint the feeder.
Alleluia!
God, that came on earth this morn,?In a manger lying,?Hallow'd birth by being born,?Vanquished death by dying,?Vanquished death by dying,?Rallied back the flying,?Ended sin and sighing.
Alleluia!
THREE SHIPS.
I saw three ships come sailing in,?On Christmas day, on Christmas day;?I saw three ships come sailing in,?On Christmas day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three,?On Christmas day, on Christmas day??And what was in those ships all three,?On Christmas day in the morning?
Our Saviour Christ and His lady,?On Christmas day, on Christmas day;?Our Saviour Christ and His lady,?On Christmas day in the morning.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,?On Christmas day, on Christmas day??Pray whither sailed those ships all three,?On Christmas day in the morning?
O they sailed into Bethlehem,?On Christmas day, on Christmas day,?O they sailed into Bethlehem,?On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,?On Christmas day, on Christmas day;?And all the bells on earth shall ring,?On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the angels in heaven shall sing,?On Christmas day, on Christmas day;?And all the angels in heaven shall sing,?On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the souls on earth shall sing,?On Christmas day, on Christmas day;?And all the souls on earth shall sing,?On Christmas day in the morning.
Then let us all rejoice amain,?On Christmas day, on Christmas day;?Then let us all rejoice amain,?On Christmas day in the morning.
JACOB'S LADDER.
As Jacob with travel was weary one day,?At night on a stone for a pillow he lay;?He saw in a vision a ladder so high?That its foot was on earth and its top in the sky.?Hallelujah to Jesus, who died on the tree,?And hath rais'd up a ladder of mercy for me.
This ladder is high, it is strong and well made,?Hath stood hundreds of years and is not yet decayed;?Many millions have climbed it and reached Zion's hill,?And thousands, by faith, are climbing it still.
Hallelujah, etc.
Come, let us ascend, all may climb it who will,?For the angels of Jacob are guarding it still;?And remember each step that by faith we pass o'er,?Some prophet or martyr hath trod it before.
Hallelujah, etc.
And when we arrive at the haven of rest,?We shall hear the glad word: Come up hither, ye blest!?Here are regions of light, here are mansions of bliss,?Oh, who would not climb such a ladder as this?
Hallelujah, etc.
SAINT STEPHEN, THE CLERK.
Saint Stephen was a clerk?In King Herod's hall,?And servéd him of bread and cloth?As ever king befall.
Stephen out of kitchen came?With boar's head on hand,?He saw a star was fair and bright?Over Bethlehem stand.
He kist adown the boar's head?And went into the hall:?"I forsake thee, King Herod,?And thy workés all.
"I forsake thee, King Herod,?And thy workés all;?There is a child in Bethlehem born?Is better than we all."
"What aileth thee, Stephen??What is thee befall??Lacketh thee either meat or drink?In King Herod's hall?"
"Lacketh me neither meat ne drink?In King Herod's hall;?There is a child in Bethlehem born?Is better than we all."
"What aileth thee, Stephen??Art thou wode,[I] or thou ginnest to breed?[J]?Lacketh thee either gold or fee,?Or any rich weed?"[K]
"Lacketh me neither gold nor fee,?Ne none rich weed;?There is a child in Bethlehem born?Shall helpen us at our need."
"That is also sooth,[L] Stephen,?Also sooth i-wis?As this capon crowé shall?That lieth here in my dish."
That word was not so soon said,?That word in that hall,?The capon crew _Christus natus est_?Among the lordés all.
"Riseth up, my tormentors,?By two and all by one,?And leadeth Stephen out of this town,?And stoneth him with stone."
Tooken they Stephen?And stoned him in the way,?And therefore is his even?On Christés own day.
FOOTNOTES:
[I] Mad.
[J] Scold.
[K] Dress.
[L] As true.
THE CARNAL AND THE CRANE.
As I pass'd by a riverside,?And there as I did reign,[M]?In argument I chanced to hear?A Carnal[N] and a Crane.
The Carnal