An East Anglian Carol - The Little Blackenham Carol from Suffolk, just 14 verses long Can be found on Artisan's first Christmas CD.

THE LITTLE BLAKENHAM CAROL
Suffolk Carol
Given to the vicar more than 100 years ago


1/ Let all who are to mirth inclined,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our great god for us has done
In sending his beloved son.

2/ Let all our songs and praises be
Unto his heavenly majesty,
And ever more among our mirth,
Remember Christ, our saviour's birth.

3/ The twenty fifth day of December,
We have great reason to remember,
In Bethlehem upon that morn,
There was our blessed saviour born.

4/ The night before this happy tide
The spotless virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find some lodging in the town.

5/ But mark how all things came to pass,
The inn and lodgings filling fast
That they could have no room at all
But in a field, the ox's stall.

6/ That night the virgin, Mary mild,
Was safe delivered of a child,
According unto heaven's decree
Man, God, our saviour for to be.

7/ Near Bethlehem some shepherds kept
Watching their flocks, while others slept,
To whom God's angel did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.

8/ "Prepare and go", the angel said,
"To Bethlehem. Be not afraid,
And you shall see this very morn
The blessed babe, sweet Jesus, born."

9/ With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went that babe to find
And as the heavenly angel told,
They did our saviour Christ behold.

10/ And in a manger, he was laid,
The virgin Mary by him stayed
Attendant on the lord of life,
Being both mother, maid and wife.

11/ Three eastern wise men from afar,
Directed by a glorious star,
Came boldly on and made no stay
Until they came where Jesus lay.

12/ And when they came unto that place
And where our blessed saviour was
They humbly laid before his feet
Great gifts of gold and odours sweet.

13/ Let all who are to mirth inclined,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our great god for us has done
In sending his beloved son.

14/ Let all our songs and praises be
Unto his heavenly majesty,
And ever more among our mirth,
Remember Christ, our saviour's birth.