AUGUSTUS CAESAR HAVING BROUGHT


Augustus Caesar having brought
The world to quiet peace,
That all the noise of bloody wars
In every land did cease;
Just Joseph, with his Mary mild,
To Bethlehem did come,
Which blessed place appointed was
To ease her burden'd womb

Chorus
O sing we all, with heart and voice,
Let Christian love increase,
For unto us this day is born
The only Prince of Peace.

Then, all the town being full of guests,
Such was their helpless case,
That not a bed for them was left,
Nor any lodging place;
But in a poor and simple inn,
Even an ox's stall
Appointed was to entertain
The Saviour of us all. Chorus

No mantle, nor no rich attire,
No swaddling bands, nor linen rare,
No costly robes, nor golden treasure,
Could Jesus Christ our Lord have there.
No other nurse nor lullaby,
But blessed Mary's arms,
To rock this blessed babe to sleep,
With heavenly hymns and charms. Chorus

Thus was the Son of God not born
In majesty and state,
As Princes of the Nations be,
Tho' he a Prince most great:
Yet at his blessed birth the choirs
Of heavenly Angels sing,
And every thing for Jury's King
Rejoiced with thanksgiving. Chorus

O Holy, Holy, Lord of Hosts,
This was their joy and mirth,
Which sounded out on every coast,
For Jesus Christ his birth.
Both Cherubim, and Seraphim,
With all the Hosts of Heaven,
With joyful voice sang praises forth,
To glorify this even. Chorus

And when that blessed morning came
That God's dear Son was born,
A glorious Star with blazing beams
Did all the skies adorn,
Which unto Shepherds in the fields
The first of all appear'd;
A voice likewise came down from Heaven,
And thus the Shepherds cheer'd. Chorus

This tide is born in Bethlehem
A Saviour, and a King,
Whose merits shall redeem the world,
And man's salvation bring.
All glory be to God on high,
And peace on Earth to all,
And goodwill still be unto men,
This was the Angel's call. Chorus

This Star did not alone appear
Unto the Shepherds poor,
But to the sages of the world,
To make their glory more;
Who came conducted by the Star,
From countries far from thence,
And there presented at his feet,
Gold, myrrh, and frankincense. Chorus

The which when cruel Herod heard,
Of this great homage done,
By the three Wise Men of the East,
To Mary's blessed Son;
He sent throughout all Jury land
To have this infant slain,
With every one of two years old,
And none did there remain. Chorus

Then Bethlehem grew red with blood,
And white with infants' bones,
That nought was heard in Jury's land
But childless mothers' moans.
Yet Mary's babe, by Heaven preserv'd,
Escaped their bloody rage,
And liv'd in Egypt, till he came
To the term of twelve years of age. Chorus

Even as the Angel did appoint,
His parents did back return,
And with their Son in Jury's land
In safety did sojourn.
But Herod's death by judgment strange
Before the time befell,
Whose bowells brake and did burst out,
As ancient stories tell. Chorus

Then Jesus Christ, at twelve years old
In Jury began to preach,
And to the sages of the land
Of Moses' laws did teach;
And afterwards for twenty years
He oft did fast and pray,
Till cursed Judas with a kiss
Sweet Jesus did betray. Chorus 



(Contributed by Frank DiSalle - December 2003)