Carols
The Stuarts sang carols just as we do today. In fact some of our favourite Christmas carols were sung in Stuart times.
While shepherds watched their flocks
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
Fear not! said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds,
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
To you and all mankind.
To you, in David's town, this day
Is born of David's line,
The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign:
The heav'nly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.
All glory be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace.
Good will henceforth from heav'n to man,
Begin and never cease!
Words: Nahum Tate, 1700
Music: Winchester Old, Carol, Hampton
The twelve days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Five gold rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings.
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Words and Music: Traditional
I saw three ships
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
Our Savior Christ and His lady,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Savior Christ and His lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Then let us rejoice amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.
Words: Traditional; first known publication date 1666.
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
1. God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy!
2. In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born,
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn;
The which His mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn.
O tidings of comfort and joy...
3. From God our heavenly Father
A blessed angel came;
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born
The son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy...
4. "Fear not, then," said the angel,
"Let nothing you afright;
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy...
5. The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoicèd much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl'em straightaway
This blessed Babe to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy...
6. But when to Bethlehem they came
Where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy...
7. Now to the Lord sing praises
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy...
Words: Traditional English
The first Noël
The first Noël the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay tending their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël,
Born is the King of Israel.
They lookèd up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Noël, Noël...
And by the light of that same star
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noël, Noël...
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Over Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noël, Noël...
Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered it them for to see,
And found the Babe in poverty.
Noël, Noël...
Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon the knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noël, Noël...
Between an ox stall and an ass,
This Child truly there He was;
For want of clothing they did Him lay
All in a manger, among the hay.
Noël, Noël...
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with His blood mankind hath bought.
Noël, Noël...
If we in our time shall do well,
We shall be free from death and hell;
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting place in general.
Noël, Noël...
Words and Music: Traditional English carol.
In dulci jubilo
In dulci jubilo
Let us our homage shew;
Our heart's joy reclineth
In præsepio,
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio.
Alpha es et O!
Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule,
I yearn for thee alway;
Listen to my ditty,
O Puer optime,
Have pity on me, pity,
O princeps gloriæ!
Trahe me post te!
Trahe me post te!
O Patris caritas,
O Nati lenitas!
Deeply were we stainèd
Per nostra crimina;
But thou hast for us gainèd
Coelorum gaudia.
O that we were there!
O that we were there!
Ubi sunt gaudia, where,
If that they be not there?
There are angels singing
Nova cantica,
There the bells are ringing
In Regis curia:
O that we were there!
O that we were there!
Words: 16th Century German traditional.
