Be Merry

English Traditional
Fifteenth Century

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), Page #203

Compare: Be Merry, Be Merry (From Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols)

Be merry, be merry, I pray you, be merry every one.

1. A principal point of charity,
It is merry to be
In Him that is but One.
Be merry, be merry, I pray you, be merry every one.

2. For He that is but One in bliss
To us hath sent His son, ywis,¹
To save us from our fone.²
Be merry, be merry, I pray you, be merry every one.

3. For of a maiden a Child was born,
To save mankind that was forlorn.
Man, think thereon.
Be merry, be merry, I pray you, be merry every one.

4. Now Mary, for thy Son His sake,
Save them all that mirth do make,
And hold the longest on.
Be merry, be merry, I pray you, be merry every one.

Notes:

1. Verily. Return

2. Foes. Return

Illustration from Rickert:

J. A. Fuller Maitland, English Carols of the Fifteenth Century. London: The Leadenhall Press, E.C., ca. 1891, V.

Carol in Original Form From a 15th Century Manuscript

Carol in Modern Form

Editor's Note:

Rev. Richard R. Terry notes that the words and melody are from a parchment roll in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge (Fifteenth Century.); Mode I. See: Cambridge UK, Trinity College O.3.58 (1230)

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