Christmas Mummers' Carol

Version 3

Alternate Title: Righteous Joseph wedded was

For Christmas

Words: English Traditional

Source: Journal of the Folk Song Society, Vol. 2, Issue 7, #30, p. 128.

See: Christmas Mummers' Carol - Broadwood

Third Version

Righteous Joseph wedded was
Unto some Virgin pure;
Some glorious angel from heaven came
Unto this Virgin pure.

"God bless Saint Mary," then said he,
"Thou shalt conceive and bear,
Thou shalt conceive and bear a Son
Our Saviour for to be."

No mortal man remember well
When Christ our Saviour was born;
He was crucified betwixt two thieves,
And drowned with a thorn.

No mortal man remember well
When Christ died on the rood;
'Twas for we and our wickedness
Christ shed His precious blood.

No mortal man remember well
When Christ was wrapped in clay
He was laid in a new sepulchre,
Where never no man lay.

God bless the master of this house
With happiness beside;
Whereever he walks, or where he rides
Lord Jesus be his guide.

God bless the mistress of this house
With a gold chain round her breast;
Whereever she weeps, or where she sleeps,
Lord, send her soul to rest.

God bless your house, your children too,
Your cattle, and your store;
The Lord increase you day by day,
And send you more and more.

Note from Broadwood:

The above was sent by Mr. E. T. Hedgecocks, or Strettington, in Sussex, who learned it orally more than fifty years ago as a schoolboy, but has not heard it sung for many years.

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