A Carol For Christmas Eve

Alternate Title: The Lord At First Had Adam Made
Compare: The Lord At First Had Adam Made

Words: Traditional

Music: Traditional
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Source: Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer, Christmas Carols New and Old, Second Series (London: Novello, Ewer & Co., 1871), Carol #21

1. The Lord at first had Adam made
Out of the dust and clay,
And in his nostrils breathed life,
E’en as the Scriptures say.
And then in Eden’s Paradise
He placed him to dwell,
That he within it should remain,
To dress and keep it well.

Chorus
Now let good Christians all begin
A holier life to live,¹
And to rejoice and merry be,
For this is Christmas Eve.

2. And thus within the garden he
Was set, therein to stay;
And in commandment unto him
These words the Lord did say:
"The fruit which in the garden grows
To thee shall be for meat,
Except the tree in midst thereof
Of which thou shall not eat." Chorus

3. "For in the day thou shalt it touch
Or dost to it come nigh,
If so thou do but eat thereof,
Then thou shalt surely die."
But Adam he did take no heed
Unto that only thing,
But did transgress God’s holy Law,
And so was wrapt in sin. Chorus

4. Now mark the goodness of the Lord,
Which He to mankind bore;
His mercy soon He did extend,
Lost man for to restore:
And therefore to redeem our souls²
From death and hell and thrall,³
He said His own dear Son should be
The Saviour of us all. Chorus

5. Which promise now is brought to pass:
Christians, believe it well:
And by the death of God’s dear Son,
We are redeemed from Hell.
So if we truly do believe,
And do the thing that’s right,
Then by His merits we at least
Shall live in heaven bright. Chorus

6. And now the tide is nigh at hand,
In which our Saviour came;
Let us rejoice and merry be
In keeping of the same;
Let’s feed the poor and hungry souls.
And such as do it crave;
And when we die, in heaven we
Our sure reward shall have. Chorus

1. Or: A 'holy' life to live (Sandys) Return

2. Or: And 'then, for' to redeem our souls Return

3. Or: From death and 'hellish' thrall Return

Alternate Fifth Verse:

Now for the blessings we enjoy,
Which are from heaven above,
Let us renounce all wickedness,
And live in perfect love:
Then shall we do Christ's own command,
E'en His own written word;
And when we die, in heaven shall
Enjoy our living Lord: Chorus

Sheet Music from Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer, Christmas Carols New and Old (London: Novello, Ewer & Co., ca 1871)

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.

Related Hymns and Carols