Now Make We Merry, All And Some

For Christmas

Words: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century

Compare: Now Make We Merthe (Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols)

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 204-5.

1. Now make we merry, all and some,
For Christmas now is come
    That hath no peer.
    Sing we all in fere.
        Now joy and bliss
        They shall not miss
    That make good cheer.

2. Now God Almighty down hath sent
The Holy Ghost to be present,
To light on Mary maiden verement,
That bare the Son of God with good intent,
    That hath no peer.
    Sing we all in fere.
        Now joy and bliss
        They shall not miss
    That make good cheer.

3. Now Godes Son omnipotent
In Mary mild He here hath ta'en
Flesh and blood, for He hath meant
Man to restore unto His gain.
    That hath no peer.
    Sing we all in fere.
        Now joy and bliss
        They shall not miss
    That make good cheer.

4. To Mary mild our hearts be bent,
That blissful lady so be-kent,¹
To pray that we be not undone,
Through Jesus Christ her gentle Son,
    That hath no peer.
    Sing we all in fere.
        Now joy and bliss
        They shall not miss
    That make good cheer.

Note:

1. Be-kent = well known; text: be bent. Return

J. A. Fuller Maitland, English Carols of the Fifteenth Century. London: The Leadenhall Press, E.C., ca. 1891, VIII.

Carol in Original Form From a 15th Century Manuscript

Carol in Modern Form

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