Part 1 / Book 4 — 103. Jolly Wat
Reading edition
Can I not sing but ‘Hoy’, Whan the joly shepard made so much joy? I The shepard upon a hill he sat; He had on him his tabard[617] and his hat, His tarbox, his pipe, and his flagat[618]; His name was callèd Joly Joly Wat, For he was a gud herdés boy. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. II The shepard upon a hill was laid; His dog unto his girdell was taid[619]; He had not slept but a litill braid[620], But ‘Gloria in excelsis’ was to him said. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. III The shepard on a hill he stode; Round about him his shepe they yode[621]; He put his hond under his hode[622], He saw a star as rede as blode. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. IV The shepard said anon right, ‘I will go see yon ferly[623] sight, Whereas the angel singeth on hight, And the star that shineth so bright.’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. V ‘Now farewell, Mall, and also Will! For my love go ye all still Unto I cum again you till, And evermore, Will, ring well thy bell.’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. VI ‘Now must I go there Crist was born; Farewell! I cum again to-morn. Dog, kepe well my shepe fro the corn, And warn well “Warroke” when I blow my horn!’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. VII Whan Wat to Bedlem cumen was, He swet, he had gone faster than a pace; He found Jesu in a simpell place, Betwen an ox but and an asse. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. VIII ‘Jesu, I offer to thee here my pipe, My skirt, my tar-box, and my scrip; Home to my felowes now will I skip, And also look unto my shepe.’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. IX ‘Now farewell, mine owne herdesman Wat!’— ‘Yea, for God, lady, even so I hat[624]; Lull well Jesu in thy lap, And farewell, Joseph, with thy round cap!’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy. X ‘Now may I well both hope and sing, For I have bene at Cristes bering; Home to my felowes now will I fling. Crist of heven to his bliss us bring!’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.