Rejoice And Be Merry

For Christmas

Words and Music: English Traditional

Source: Broadside Douce adds. 137(45) (Bod24362 at the Bodleian Library)
Roud Number V9595

Printed by Watson, Printer, Jamaica row, Birmingham:
Where may be had a great variety of Carols, Songs, Histories &c.
Handwritten: 1826.

See: In Bethlehem City - Notes

Carol V. Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside

1. Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside,
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide,
In Bethlehem city in Jewry it was
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass.

Chorus:
And therefore be merry, set sorrow aside,
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide,
And there to be tax'd with many others did go,
For Caesar Augustus had ordered it so.

2. And when they had enter'd the city so fair,
People from all parts to be taxe'd were there.
For Joseph & Mary whose substance was small
Could not at an inn have any lodging at all.

3. Unless in the stable they would abide,
They could have no other at that same tide,
This lodging so simple they took it no scorn,
And before the next morning our Saviour was born.

4. When Mary had swaddled her young son so sweet,
Even in an ex's manger she laid him to sleep
Then God sent an angel from heav'n so high,
To certain poor shepherds who in the field lie.

5. And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay.
Because that their Saviour was born on that day.
And presentlfy after the shepherds did spy,
A number of angels appear in the sky.

6. Now certain wise prices thought it no unmeet,
To lay their rich offerings at our Saviour's feet.
[nothing further]

Broadside Douce Adds. 137(45)

Note:

Source is the Broadside Douce adds. 137(45); its Bodleian Library number is Bod24362. The title is Christmas Carols | The Virgin Unspotted (link is to the broadside sheet at the Bodleian Library). The printer is Watson, Printer, Jamaica row, Birmingham: "Where may be had a great variety of Carols, Songs, Histories &c." There was a handwritten note of the date: "1826."

This was carol #5 of 5 on this broadside. The fifth carol is the related "A Virgin Most Purely." The other three carols are:

Carol II. Christmas now is drawing near at hand.

Carol III. While Shepherds watch their Flocks by night

Carol IV. To Adam thus Jehovah spake --

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