Day 8 - Some New Year’s Day Songs!
The Shepherd's Carol . . . to be sung on New Year's Day
The New Year is begun,
Good morrow, my masters all!
The cheerful rising sun
Now shining in this hall,
Brings mirth and joy to man and boy
With all that here doth dwell;
Whom Jesus bless with love's increase
So all things shall prosper well.
A New Year's gift I bring
Unto my master here,
Which is a welcome thing
Of mirth and merry cheer.
A New Year's lamb come from thy dam
An hour before daybreak;
Your noted ewe doth this bestow,
Good master, for your sake.
And to my dame so king
This New Year's gift I bring;
I'll bear an honest mind
Unto her while I live.
Your white-wooled sheep I'll safely keep
From harm of brush or briar,
That garments gay for your array
May clothe you the next New Year.
And to your children all,
These New Year's gifts I bring;
And though the price be small,
They're fit for queen or king:
Fair pippins red kept in my bed
A-mellowing since last year,
Whose beauty bright so clear of sight
Their hearts will glad and cheer.
And to your maids and men
I bring both points and pins;
Come bid me welcome then,
The good New Year begins;
Thy office show before I go,
My bottle and bag come fill;
And for thy sake I'll merry make
Upon the next green hill.
The Shepherd's Carol - Passamezzo
Young Men and Maids On New Year's Day . . . a carol for New Year's Day
Young men and maids on New Year's Day,
Their loves they will present
With many a gift both fine and gay,
Which gives them true content:
And though the gift be great or small,
Yet this is the custom still
Expressing their loves in ribbons and gloves,
It being their kind good-will.
Fine ruffs, cravats of curious lace
Maids give them fine and neat;
For this the young men will them embrace
With tender kisses sweet:
And give them many pleasant toys
To deck them fine and gay,
As bodkins and rings with other fine things
For the honour of New Year's day.
Young Men and Maids On New Year's Day - Passamezzo
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