Steady Neighbours

For Christmas

Words: Lei plus sage

English Translation by the Rev. J. O'Connor

Music: A Provençal Noël.

Source: Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #85, pp. 14-15.

1. Steady neighbours
Give up their labours;
Hard-bit folk, not easy to pawn
Hold a high-day,
Since on Friday
God's only Son came at peep o' the dawn.
Mary maiden
Childing is laid in
Tumble down stable with scantiest awn.

2. All God's Power
Breaking to Flower
Flow'r full-blown, co-evual in span
Then the Daystar
Making westward
Sprang on the void, and young Being began!
Waste and dual
Pined to renewal
So the Eternal in time became Man.

3. Join the chorus
Merry, sonorous;
God in Man for ever and aye
Great Creator
Fills our nature
Squandering splendour to glorify clay!
Angel Powers
Mingle with ours,
Shall not the universe keep holiday?

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #85, pp. 14-15.

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