Wexford Carol

good people all, this christmas time,
consider well and bear in mind
what our good god for us has done,
in sending his belovèd son.
with mary holy we should pray
to god with love this christmas day;
in bethlehem upon the morn
there was a blest messiah born.

the night before that happy tide
the noble virgin and her guide
were long time seeking up and down
to find a lodging in the town.
but mark how all things came to pass:
from every door repelled, alas!
as long foretold, their refuge all
was but a humble oxen stall.

near bethlehem did shepherds keep
their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
to whom god’s angels did appear
which put the shepherds in great fear.
“prepare and go”, the angels said,
“to bethlehem, be not afraid;
for there you’ll find, this happy morn,
a princely babe, sweet jesus born.”

with thankful heart and joyful mind,
the shepherds went the babe to find,
and as god’s angel has foretold,
they did our savior christ behold.
within a manger he was laid,
and by his side the virgin maid
attending to the lord of life,
who came on earth to end all strife.