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Christmas carols

Part 2 — The Moon shines bright

Reading edition

Surrey and Sussex New Year Carol.

Illustration from Christmas carols: Old English carols for Christmas and other festivals

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1. Oh, the moon shines bright, and the stars give a light; In a little time it will be day, The Lord our God He calls upon us all, And He bids us awake and pray. 2. Awake, awake, good people all! Awake, and you shall hear: Our blessèd Saviour died upon the Cross, For Christ loved us so dear. 3. So dear, so dear Christ loved us all, He for our sins was slain; Leave off, O men, your wicked, wicked ways, And turn to the Lord again. 4. Oh, the life of man it is but a span, He flourishes like a flower, He’s here to-day, and to-morrow he is gone, And he’s dead all in an hour. 5. Oh, teach your children well, good men, As long as here you stay, For it will be better for your sweet souls, When your bodies lie under the clay. 6. There’s a green turf for our heads, good men And another for our feet, Where our good deeds and our evil deeds too Together all will meet.

awake
awake
dainty cheer
dainty cheer
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