Why Should We Not With Joy Resound And Sing

For Christmas

Words: [Charles] FitzGeffrey.

Music: Not Stated.

Source: William Knight, ed., Gathered Riches from the older Poets. A.D. 1340-1699. (London: Houlston and Wright, 1865), p. 53.

WHY should we not with joy resound and sing
The blessed natals of our heavenly King ?
Why should not we with mirth salute the morn
Of His birthday by whom we are new born ?
See how each creature in his kind rejoices,
And shall not we lift up melodious voices ?
Hear how the angels sing !—shall we be sad !
The greatest good is ours—be we most glad.
Hear how the star-enamelled heavens rebound
With echoes of angelic anthems’ sound !
It is for us that they those joys express,
And shall not we shew forth some thankfulness?
Join we in concert these sweet choirs among,
In sundry voices sing we all one song,
    Glory to God on high, on earth be peace,
    And let good-will towards Christians never cease.

Editor's Note:

Also found in William Knight, ed., The Poets On Christmas (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1907), p. 37, with the same doxology, and identifying the author as Charles FitzGeffrey (1575-1636). The title given was "The Blessed Birthday."

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