The Everything Family Christmas Book (39 page)

4. "He neither shall be clothéd in purple nor in pall,
But in the fair white linen that usen babies all.” (repeat)

5. "He neither shall be rockéd in silver nor in gold,
But in a wooden cradle that rocks upon the mold.” (repeat)

6. "On the sixth day of January His birthday shall be,
When the stars and the elements shall tremble with glee.” (repeat)

7. As Joseph was a-walking, thus did the angel sing,
And Mary’s Son at midnight was born to be our King. (repeat)

Away in a Manger

Lyrics: Anonymous

1. Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

2. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly

Lyrics and Music: Traditional Welsh

1. Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Falalalala, lalalala;
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Falalalala, lalalala.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Falala, falala, lalala.
Troll the ancient yuletide carol,
Falalalala, lalalala.

2. See the blazing Yule before us,
Falalalala, lalalala;
Strike the harp and join the chorus,
Falalalala, lalalala.
Follow me in merry measure,
Falala, falala, lalala.
While I sing of Christmas treasure,
Falalalala, lalalala.

3. Fast away the old year passes,
Falalalala, lalalala;
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Falalalala, lalalala.
Sing we joyous songs together,
Falala, falala, lalala.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Falalalala, lalalala.

The First Noël

Lyrics and Music: Traditional

1. The first Noël, the angel did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain: Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël
    Born is the King of Israel

2. They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
(Refrain)

3. And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To see the King was their intent,
And to follow the star where e’er it went.
(Refrain)

4. This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
(Refrain)

5. Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon the knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
(Refrain)

6. Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heav’nly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with His blood mankind hath bought.
(Refrain)

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

Lyrics and Music: Traditional English

1. God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray.
Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy

2. From God our heav’nly Father
The blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name.
(Refrain)

3. "Fear not, then,” said the angel
“Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan’s pow’r and might.”
(Refrain)

4. 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.
(Refrain)

5. 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.
(Refrain)

6. 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.
(Refrain)

Good King Wenceslas

Lyrics: John Mason Neale (1818–1866)
Music:
Piae Cantiones,
1582

1. Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night,
Though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
Gath’ring winter fuel.

2. "Hither, page, and stand by me,
If though know’st it telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountains,
Right against the forest fence,
By Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

3. "Bring me flesh, and bring me wine,
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine,
When we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went,
Forth they went together;
Through the rude wind’s wild lament
And the bitter weather.

4. "Sire the night is darker now,
And the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how;
I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page,
Tread thou in them boldly;
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.”

5. In his master’s steps he trod,
Where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed.
Therefore Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing.
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Lyrics: Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
Music: Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)