Wexford Carol (Volkslieder (Folksongs), set by J. Rutter) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


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 the morn
There was a bless'd 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 angles 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 wet the babe to find,
And as God's angel has foretold,
They did our saviour 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.

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.

Input by Thomas Jaenicke

Authorship

Volkslieder (Folksongs)

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

John Rutter (1945-)

Date added to the website: 2004-03-29.

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