English carol, 17th century

The first Noel the angels did say

Was to certain poor shepherds

in fields as they lay,

In fields where they lay

keeping their sheep

On a cold winter's night

that was so deep.

Noel Noel Noel Noel!

Born is the King of Israel!

They looked 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.

Noel Noel Noel Noel!

Born is the King of Israel!

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.

Noel Noel Noel Noel!

Born is the King of Israel!

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.

Noel Noel Noel Noel!

Born is the King of Israel!

Then did they know assuredly

Within that house the King did lie:

One entered in then for to see,

And found the Babe in poverty:

Noel Noel Noel Noel!

Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those wise men three

Full reverently upon their knee,

And offered there in His presence

Their gold, and myrrh and frankincense.

Noel Noel Noel Noel!

Born is the King of Israel!

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.

Noel Noel Noel Noel!

Born is the King of Israel!

The Shepherd's Carol (round)

Mary, Mary hush, see the Child

Joseph, Joseph, look see how mild

This is Jesus; this is our King

This is our Savior, his praises we sing.

We Three Kings

[all]

We three kings of orient are,

bearing gifts we traverse afar

Field and fountain,

moor and mountain,

following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of night,

star with royal beauty bright.

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

[Melchior]

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,

Gold I bring to crown Him again

King for ever, ceasing never

over us all to reign.

[all]

O star of wonder, star of night,

star with royal beauty bright.

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

[Casper]

Frankincense to offer have I,

incense owns a Deity nigh

Prayer and praising, all men raising,

Worship Him, God most high.

[all]

O star of wonder, star of night,

star with royal beauty bright.

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

[Balthazar]

Myrrh is mine,

its bitter perfume breathes

a life of gathering gloom.

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

sealed in the stone cold tomb.

[all]

O star of wonder, star of night,

star with royal beauty bright.

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

Glorious now behold Him arise,

King and God and Sacrifice!

Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia,

heaven to earth replies.

O star of wonder, star of night,

star with royal beauty bright.

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

What Child Is This?

William Chatterton Dix, published ca. 1865

What Child is this, who laid to rest,

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,

The silent Word is pleading.

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through,

The Cross be borne, for me, for you:

Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;

Come peasant, king to own Him.

The King of Kings salvation brings;

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Raise, raise, the song on high,

The Virgin sings her lullaby:

Joy joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

When Joseph Went To Bethlehem

When Joseph went to Bethlehem

I think he took great care

To place his tools and close his shop

and leave no shavings there.

He urged the donkey forward,

then, with Mary on its back,

And carried bread and goat cheese

in a little linen sack.

I think there at the busy inn

that he was meek and milk

And awed to be the guardian

of Mary's sacred Child.

Perhaps all through the chilly hours

he smoothed the swaddling bands,

And Jesus felt the quiet strength of

Joseph's gentle hands.

And close beside the manger bed

he dimmed the lantern's light,

And held the little Jesus close upon

that holy night.

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Nahum Tate(1652-1715), ca. 1700

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 mind,

"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 Savior who is Christ the Lord,

And this shall be the sign:

The heavenly Babe you there shall find

To human view displayed,

All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,

And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith

Appeared a shining throng

Of angels praising God and thus

Addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high

And on the earth be peace,

Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men

Begin and never cease."

With Wondering Awe

With wondering awe the wise men saw

The star in heaven springing,

And with delight, in peaceful night,

They heard the angel singing:

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to His name!

By light of star they traveled far

To seek the lowly manger,

A humble bed wherein was laid

The wondrous little Stranger.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to His name!

And still is found, the world around,

The old and hallowed story,

And still is sung in every tongue

The angels' song of glory:

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to His name!

The heavenly star its rays afar

On every land is throwing,

And shall not cease till holy peace

In all the earth is growing.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to His name!

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 732