Words: English Traditional, Temp. Henry VII or VIII.

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 218.

Versions
I Am Here, Syre Christmasse - Sandys, 1833
I am here, syre Crystesmass - Thomas Wright, 1841
Sir Christmas - Vizetelly, 1851
I Am Here, Sir Christhismas - Husk, 1868
I Am Here, Sir Christemas - Rickert, 1910

"Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell."
"Who is there that singeth so nowell, nowell, nowell?"

1. "I am here, Sir Christëmas."
"Welcome, my lord Sir Christëmas,
Welcome to us all, both more and less,
    Come near, nowell."

2. "Dieus wous garde, bewe sieurs,¹ tidings I you bring:
A maid hath borne a child full ying,
The which causeth (you) for to sing,
    Nowell.

3. "Christ is now born of a pure maid,
In an ox-stall he is laid,
Whereof sing we alle at a brayde,²
    Nowell.

4. "Bevvex bien par tutte la company,
Make good cheer and be right merry,
And sing with us now joyfully,
    Nowell.

Notes:

1. Elsewhere byewe syre. Return

2. In unison. Return

Editor's Note

Also found in Henry Vizetelly, Christmas With The Poets (London: David Bogue, 1851), who notes that this carol is found among the Additional MSS at the British Museum, No. 5665, fol 6. vo.