Come All Ye Of Tender Years

For Christmas

Words: O vous dont les tendres ans, from Dictionnaire de Noëls.

English Translation by K. W. Simpson.

Melody from Dictionnaire de Noëls.

Source: Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #46, pp. 14-15.

1. Come all ye of tender years
(Lest the future bring ye tears!)
Growing, innocent and holy,
Come and gaze, all meek and lowly,
On the Innocence of Him!
Take His virtues as thine aim!

2. Tender is the p;icture here:
Babe so Innocent, so dear!
Run ! Ye little ones so eager!
Here within a Manger meagre,
Little Children come and see,
How your childhood fair may be!

3. See the Manger poorly dight,
Where sweet Jesu saw the light!
Hear His Voice, that whispers gently:
“Happy grow! And innocently!”
Saying Poverty may hold,
Gifts Man cannot buy with Gold!

4. Why thy sorrows and thy tears,
Dark'ning all thy days with fears?
Since His blood for us was shed so,
Nothing is that ye need dread so!
Foolish pleasures let us hate,
Serving Jesu soon and late!

5. Thou of foolish mind and heart,
Wilt thou not from Sin depart,
When thou seest Jesu lowly
Giving up His life so wholly?
Could'st thou not obedience give,
Serving Jesu whilst ye live?

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #46, pp. 14-15.

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