Why Should We Go Grieving?

For Christmas Day

Words and Music: Name, Old Basque Carol

Words Translated by the Rev. J. O'Connor

Source: Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #105, pp. 28-29.

Refrain:
Why should we go grieving?
This is Christmas Day!
Joy is true believing,
Peace is come to stay!

1. O Christ Jesus!
Lovest us so dearly,
Tho' it freezes,
In the morning early.
For us man's salvation
Thou of maid art born.
In our lowly station
Sharing death and scorn.

2. Adam blameless
Liv'd a while in glory
Fiends, hell-hoary
Plucked him down with scorn;
Strip'd him bare and wounded,
Leaving him to dwell
Penniless and wounded,
On the road to Hell.

3. Eve, too trustful,
When the Dragon hail'd her
Wisdom failed her
She beguil'd her husband.
Of the tree forbidden
When they both partook,
Mercy, deeply hidden
Of a Woman spoke.

4. Came a Maiden
At the end of ages;
Saw her in the spirit.
Nought of her allegiance
Satan could enmesh,
So her free obedience
Made the Word our Flesh.

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #105, pp. 28-29.

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