In The Yule-Log Glow.
Vol. IV.
by Harrison S. Morris.
_Sung Under The Window._
"This carol they began that hour With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino!"
_Shakespeare._
WHO"S THERE?
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell, Who ys there that syngith so, nowell, nowell, nowell?
I am here, syre Christma.s.se!
Well come, my lord syre Christma.s.se, Welcome to us all, bothe more and lesse, Come nere, nowell!
Dieu vous garde, beau syre, tydinges you bryng: A mayd hath born a chylde full yong, The weche causeth yew for to syng, Nowell!
Criste is now born of a pure mayde, In an oxe stalle he ys layde, Wher"for syng we alle atte abrayde Nowell!
Bebbex bien par tutte la company, Make G.o.de chere and be right mery, And syng with us now joyfully, Nowell!
G.o.d REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN.
G.o.d rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, For Jesus Christ our Saviour Was born upon this day To save us all from Satan"s power When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.
In Bethlehem in Jewry This blessed babe was born, And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn; The which His mother Mary Nothing did take in scorn.
O tidings, etc.
From G.o.d our Heavenly Father A blessed angel came, And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same, How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of G.o.d by name.
O tidings, etc.
Fear not, then said the angel, Let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour Of virtue, power, and might; So frequently to vanquish all The friends of Satan quite.
O tidings, etc.
The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm, and wind, And went to Bethlehem straightway This blessed babe to find.
O tidings, etc.
But when to Bethlehem they came, Whereat this infant lay, They found Him in a manger Where oxen feed on hay; His mother Mary kneeling Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings, etc.
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, etc.
WELCOME YULE.
_Welcome Yule, thou merry man,_ _In worship of this holy day._
Welcome be thou, heaven-king, Welcome born in one morning, Welcome for whom we shall sing, Welcome Yule.
Welcome be ye, Stephen and John, Welcome Innocents, every one, Welcome Thomas Martyr one, Welcome Yule.
Welcome be ye, good New Year, Welcome Twelfth Day, both in fere,[D]
Welcome saintes lef[E] and dear, Welcome Yule.
Welcome be ye, Candlemas, 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 all, another year, Welcome Yule.
_Ritson"s Ancient Songs._
FOOTNOTES:
[D] Together.
[E] Loved.
ANGEL HERALDS.
As Joseph was a-walking, He heard an angel sing: "This night shall be born Our Heavenly King;
"He neither shall be born In housen nor in hall, Nor in the place of Paradise, But in an ox"s stall;
"He neither shall be clothed In purple nor in pall, But all in fair linen, As we were babies all.
"He neither shall be rocked In silver nor in gold, But in a wooden cradle That rocks on the mould.
"He neither shall be christened In white wine nor in red, But with fair spring-water With which we were christened."