The 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 beloved Son.

With Mary holy we should pray

To God with love this Christmas day;

In Bethlehem upon that morn

There was a blessed 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 an humble ox's stall.

There were three wise men from afar

Directed by a glorious star,

And on they wandered night and day

Until they came where Jesus lay,

And when they came unto that place

Where our beloved Messiah was,

They humbly cast them at his feet,

With gifts of gold and incense sweet.

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 angles 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 had foretold,

They did our saviour Christ behold.

Within a manger he was laid,

And by his side the virgin maid,

Attending on the Lord of life,

Who came on earth to end all strife.