Gods Of The Heathen

For Christmas

Words and Music: Neguberriren jitiaz, 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 #97, pp. 12-13.

Refrain:
Gods of the heathen, bronze and stone,
Logs without hearing, sight or tone,
Like them bee they who worship them!
God is alive in Bethlehem.

Verses:

1. Eve was our mother, low she fell,
Leaving us bond to ugly hell,
Christ our young Brother saves us all,
Stooping to lift us from the fall.

2. Cradled in stable-stall He Lay
Born of a maiden pure as day
No one but she true homage paid
None was like her for lowlihead.

3. Angels began His birth to sing
Sending the Shepherds worshipping
Orient Kings besought His face
Bringing him gifts with stately grace.

4. Fraught were the gifts with inward sense
As to the Priest, right frankincense
Gold to the King, and chosen myrrh
Meet for the victim's sepulture.

5. Jesus so loves us, here He came
heedless of want and woe and shame
Pray He receive us when we come
Into His rich and royal home.

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #97, pp. 12-13.

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