Man be mery I the rede

For Christmas

Words and Music: Traditional English
(From MS. Addit. No. 5665, fol. 9, r⁰)
Also found in British Museum. MS. Sloane 2593. XV Century.

Source: Thomas Wright, Specimens of Old Christmas Carols Selected from Manuscripts and Printed Books (London: The Percy Society, 1841)

Man be joyfulle and myrth thou make,
For Crist ys made man ffor thy sake.

Man be mery I the rede,
    But be whar what merthis thou make;
Crist ye clothed yn thy wede,
    And he ys made man for thy sake.

He cam ffro hys ffader sete,
    Into this worlde to be thy make;
Man be war how thou hym trete,
    For he ys made man for thy sake.

Loke thou mercy ewyr crye,
    Now and alleway, rathe and late;
And he wille sette the wonder hye,
For he ys made man for thy sake.

Versions on this web site:

• This tyme is born a chyld ful go - Thomas Wright (1856), in Middle English; requires Junicode font.

• Man, Be Merry As Bird On Berry — Rickert. Updated lyrics.

• Man be mery I the rede - Thomas Wright (1841) (this page)

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