Version 2
See: Let All That Are To Mirth Inclined (Davies Gilbert, 1823)
Words and Music: English Traditional
Meter: 88 88
Source: William Sandys, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (London: Richard Beckley, 1833).
1. All you that are to mirth inclin'd
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us hath done
In sending his beloved Son.
Chorus
And to redeem our souls from thrall,
He1 is the Saviour of us all.
2. Let all your songs and praises be
Unto his Heavenly Majesty,
And evermore among your mirth
Remember Christ our Saviour's birth. Chorus
3. The five and twentieth of December,
Good cause have you for to remember,
In Bethlehem upon this morn
There was our blessed Saviour born. Chorus
4. The night before that happy tide
The spotless Virgin, and her guide,
Went long time seeking up and down
To find them lodging in the town. Chorus
5. And mark how all things came to pass,
The inns and lodging so filled was,
That they could have no room at all,
but in a silly2 ox's stall. Chorus
6. That night the Virgin Mary mild
Was safe delivered of a Child,
According unto Heaven's decree
Man's sweet salvation for to be. Chorus
7. Near Bethlehem did Shepherds keep
Their herds and flocks, and feeding sheep,
To whom God's Angels did appear,
Which put the Shepherds in great fear. Chorus
8. "Prepare and go," the Angel said,
"To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
There shall you see this blessed morn,
The princely babe, sweet Jesus, born." Chorus
9. With thankful hearts and joyful mind,
The Shepherds went this babe to find,
And as the heavenly Angel told,
They did our Saviour Christ to behold. Chorus
10. Within a manger was he laid,
The Virgin Mary by him stay'd,
Attending on the Lord of life,
Being both mother, maid, and wife. Chorus
11. Three Eastern Wise men from afar,
Directed by a glorious Star,
Came boldly on, and made no stay,
Until they came where Jesus lay. Chorus
12. And being come unto the place
Wherein the blest Messias was,
They humbly laid before his feet
Their gifts of gold and odours sweet. Chorus
13. See how the Lord of Heaven and Earth
Shew'd himself lowly in his birth,
A sweet example for mankind,
To learn to bear an humble mind. Chorus
14. No costly robes or rich attire
Did Jesus Christ our Lord desire,
No musick nor sweet harmony,
Till glorious Angels came from high. Chorus
15. If choirs of Angels did rejoice,
Well may mankind with heart and voice
Sing praises to the God of Heaven,
That unto us his Son is given. Chorus
Notes:
1. Or "Christ" in the West-country version, according to Husk. Return
2. Simple or inoffensive, according to Husk. Return
Sandys' Note:
This carol is printed, with little variation, in an edition of Deloney's "Garland of Good-will," (not the black letter copy,) and called "The Sinner's Redemption." In the same work is a curious ballad, intitled, "A wonder Prophesie, declared by Christian James, a maid of twenty years of age, who was born near Padstow in the country of Cornwal, &c. To the tune of 'In Summer-time.'" It concludes thus: --
The magistrates of that same parish,
Which heard and saw this wonder strange,
Desir'd to have it put in print,
'Cause wicked men their ways may change.
See also All You Who Are To Mirth Inclined - Fuller Version which is a compilation of the versions reprinted by Gilbert, Sandys, Dearmer, and Harrison, and represents 27 of the original 28 verses.
