ALL YOU THAT ARE TO MIRTH INCLINED


All you that are to mirth inclin'd
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us hath done
In sending his beloved Son.

Chorus
And to redeem our souls from thrall,
He is the Saviour of us all.

Let all your songs and praises be
Unto his Heavenly Majesty,
And evermore among your mirth
Remember Christ our Saviour's birth. Chorus

The five and twentieth of December,
Good cause have you for to remember,
In Bethlehem upon this morn
There was our blessed Saviour born. Chorus

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. Chorus

And mark how all things came to pass,
The inns and lodging so filled was,
That they could have no room at all,
but in a silly oxes stall. Chorus

That night the Virgin Mary mild
Was safe delivered of a Child,
According unto Heaven's decree
Man's sweet salvation for to be. Chorus

Near Bethlehem did Shepherds keep
Their herds and flocks, and feeding sheep,
To whom God's Angels did appear,
Which put the Shepherds in great fear. Chorus

Prepare and go, the Angel said,
To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
There shall you see this blessed morn,
The princely babe, sweet Jesus, born. Chorus

With thankful hearts and joyful mind,
The Shepherds went this babe to find,
And as the heavenly Angel told,
They did our Saviour Christ to behold. Chorus

Within a manger was he laid,
The Virgin Mary by him stay'd,
Attending on the Lord of life,
Being both mother, maid, and wife. Chorus

Three Eastern Wise men from afar,
Directed by a glorious Star,
Came boldly on, and made no stay,
Until they came where Jesus lay. Chorus

And being come unto the place
Wherein the blest Messias was,
They humbly laid before his feet
Their gifts of gold and odours sweet. Chorus

See how the Lord of Heaven and Earth
Shew'd himself lowly in his birth,
A sweet example for mankind,
To learn to bear an humble mind. Chorus

No costly robes or rich attire
Did Jesus Christ our Lord desire,
No musick nor sweet harmony,
Till glorious Angels came from high. Chorus

If choirs of Angels did rejoice,
Well may mankind with heart and voice
Sing praises to the God of Heaven,
That unto us his Son is given. Chorus



(Contributed by Frank DiSalle - December 2003)