Thow Thou Byst Kyng
Words and Music: Traditional English
Source: Thomas Wright, Songs and Carols Now First Printed, From a Manuscript of the Fifteenth Century (London: The Percy Society, 1847), Song #41, printed verbatim from a manuscript probably owned by a professional musician, and apparently written in the latter half of the fifteenth century, circa 1471-1485.
This carol requires
the installation of the "Junicode" font for best display.
See notes in F A Q
Synful man, for Crystes sake, I red thou amendes make.
Thow thou byst Kyng, and were the crowne;
Thow thou byst lord of towre and towne;
I set not by thi gret renowne,
But 3yf thou wylt amends make,
Synful man,
for Crystes sake.
Man, thou art both styf and strong,
Many a man thou hast do wrong;
Welaway sal be thi song,
But 3yf thou wylt amendes make,
Synful man,
for Crystes sake.
Man ber not thi hed to hey;
For pumpe and pryd and lechery,
In hel thi sole xal sor aby;
But 3yf thou wylt amendes make,
Synful man,
for Crystes sake.
Man, be war, the wey ys scheder,
Thou mast scleder thou wonest weder
Body and sowll and al toogeder;
But 3yf thou wylt amendes make,
Synful man,
for Crystes sake.
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