The Birth of the Saviour / Traditional

SOURCE - CPDL
FOR - SATB

All you that are to mirth inclined,

Consider well and bear in mind

What our good God for us hath done

In sending His beloved Son.

Let all your songs and praises be

Unto His heavenly Majesty,

And evermore among your mirth

Remember Christ our Saviour's birth.

The five-and-twentieth of December,

Good cause have we for to remember,

In Bethlehem, upon this morn,

There was our blessed Saviour born.

The night before that happy tide

The spotless Virgin and her guide,

Went long time seeking up and down,

To find them lodging in the town.

But mark how all things came to pass,

The inns and lodgings so filled was,

That they could have no room at all

But in a silly ox's stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep

Their herds and flocks of feeding sheep,

To whom God's angel did appear,

Which put the shepherds in great fear.

"Prepare and go," the angel said,

"To Bethlehem, be not afraid,

There shall you find, this blessed morn,

The princely Babe, sweet Jesus, born."

With thankful hearts and joyful mind,

The shepherds went this Babe to find,

And as the heavenly angel told,

They did our Saviour Christ behold.

No costly robes nor rich attire

Did Jesus Christ our Lord desire;

No music nor sweet harmony,

Till glorious angels from on high.

Did in a melodious manner sing

Praises unto our Heavenly King,

All honour, glory, might and praise,

They did to Christ our Saviour raise.