TRADITIONAL CAROLS

GOD rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay; Remember Christ our Saviour Who was born on Christmas Day, To save our souls from Satan’s fold Which long time had gone astray. And ’tis tidings of comfort and joy. From him that is our Father The Blessed Angel came, And to the watchful shepherds brought The tidings of the same; That there was born in Bethlehem The Son of God by name. And ’tis, &c. Fear not, then said God’s Angel, Let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour Of a Virgin pure and bright; He is able to advance you And throw down Satan quite. And ’tis, &c. The shepherds at these tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm, and wind. And straight they went to Bethlehem The Son of God to find. And ’tis, &c. But when they came to Bethlehem Where as our Saviour lay, They found him in a manger, Where oxen fed on hay, Our blessed Lady kneeling by Unto the Lord did pray. And ’tis, &c. At which with sudden gladness The shepherds then were filled, When as the Babe of Israel Thus when they had beheld. Before his mother thus to lie The Scripture thus fulfilled. And ’tis, &c. Now let me all of you entreat That are within this place, That each dear loving Xian The other would embrace. For the happy time of Xmas Is drawing on apace. With its, &c.

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 Xmas All others doth deface. With its, &c.

REMEMBER, O thou man, O thou man, O thou man, Remember, O thou man, Thy time is spent. Remember, O thou man, How thou earnest to me than, And I did what I can: Therefore repent. Remember Adam’s fall, O thou man, O thou man, Remember, O thou man, From Heaven to Hell. Remember Adam’s fall, How we were condemnèd all To 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 his only Son He sent Our sins for to redress; Be not afraid! The Angels all did sing, O thou man, O thou man, The Angels all did sing On Sion Hill; The Angels all did sing Praise to our heavenly king And peace to man living With right good will. The shepherds amazèd was, O thou man, O thou man, The shepherds amazèd was, To hear the Angels sing. The shepherds amazèd was, How this should come to pass, That Christ our Messias Should be our king. To Bethlehem did they go, O thou man, O thou man, To Bethlehem did they go This thing to see; To Bethlehem did they go To see whether it was so, Whether Christ was born or no To set us free. As th’ Angels before did say, O thou man, O thou man, As th’ Angels before did say, So it came to pass. As th’ Angels before did say They found him wrapt in hay In a manger where he lay, So poor he was. In Bethlehem was he born, O thou man, O thou man, In Bethlehem was he born For mankind dear. In Bethlehem was he born For us that were forlorn, And therefore took no scorn Our sins to bear. 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 hearts most jolly. Give thanks to God alway Upon this blessed day, Let all men sing and say Holy, holy.

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 unto Bethlehem On Christmas day, on Christmas day. O they sailed unto 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!