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!
G.o.d, 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 pa.s.s 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 served 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 workes all.
"I forsake thee, King Herod, And thy workes 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 crowe 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 lordes 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 Christes own day.
FOOTNOTES:
[I] Mad.
[J] Scold.
[K] Dress.
[L] As true.