A GLEE AT CHRISTMAS
17th Century Song


'Tis Christmas now! 'Tis Christmas now!
When Cato's self would laugh,
And smoothing forth his wrinked brow,
Give liberty to quaff,
To dance and sing, to sport and play,
For every hour's a holiday.

And for the twelve days, let them pass
In mirth and jollity:
The time doth call each lad and lass,
That will be blythe and free,
To dance and sing, to sport and play,
For every hour's a holiday.

And from the rising of the sun
To the setting, cast off cares;
'Tis time enough when twelve is done.
To think of our affairs,
To dance and sing, to sport and play,
For every hour's a holiday.