A Child This Day Is Born

For Christmas

Old English Carol. Words and melody from Sandys' Christmas Carols, 1833.
Compare: A Child This Day Is Born (Sandys)

Source: Richard R. Terry, Old Christmas Carols. Part One. (London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne Ltd., n.d., ca. 1923), Carol #16, p. 20.

1. A Child this day is born,
    A Child of high renown.
Most worthy of a scepter,
    A scepter and a crown.

Chorus (to be sung after first and last verses.)

Novels, Novels, Novels,
    Novels, sing all we may,
Because the King of all kings
    Was born this blessed day.

2. This Child both God and Man
    From Heaven down to us came,
He is the King of all Kings,
    And Jesus is His Name.

3. These tidings Shepherds heard
    In field watching their fold,
Was by an angel unto them
    That night reveal'd and told.

4. There was with the angel
    A Host incontinent
Of heavenly bright soldiers,
    Which from on high was sent.

5. Lauding the Lord our God,
    And this celestial King;
All Glory be in Paradise,
    This heavenly host did sing.

6. Glory be unto our God,
    That sitteth still on high,
With praises and with triumph great,
    And joyful melody.

Sheet Music from Richard R. Terry, Old Christmas Carols. Part One. (London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne Ltd., n.d., ca. 1923), Carol #16, p. 20.

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), #23, p. 41.

Note from Rev. Terry:

Novels=news.

Editor's Note:

Also found in Terry's Two Hundred Folk Carols, with the following differences:

• Verse 4. Line 1. Then was there with the Angel.

• Verse 4. Line 4. Which from the highest was sent.

• Verse 5. Line 2. And His Celestial King.

Rev. Terry noted:

There are 21 stanzas in the original.

Editor's Note:

There are 21 stanzas in Sandys' version; see: A Child This Day Is Born.

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