Part 2 — A Carol for Twelfth Day

1. Mark well my heavy doleful tale For Twelfth Day now is come, And now I must no longer stay, And say no word but mum. For I perforce must take my leave Of all my dainty cheer— Plum porridge, roast beef, and minc’d pies, My strong ale and my beer. 2. Kind hearted Christmas, now adieu, For I with thee must part; But oh! to take my leave of thee Doth grieve me at the heart. Thou wert an ancient housekeeper, And mirth with meat didst keep, But thou art going out of town Which causes me to weep. 3. Come, butler, fill a brimmer full, To cheer my fainting heart, That to old Christmas I may drink Before he does depart. And let each one that’s in the room With me likewise condole, And now to cheer their spirits sad Let each one drink a bowl. 4. And when the same it hath gone round, Then fall unto your cheer; For you well know that Christmas time It comes but once a year. Thanks to my master and my dame That do such cheer afford, God bless them, that each Christmas they May furnish so their board.