SING WE MERRILY
Mr. Thomas of Stainton, Yorkshire, 1907

Sing we all merrily, Christmas is here:
The day that we love best of all days in the year.
Bring forth the Holly, the Box and the Bay,
Deck out your cottage for glad Christmas Day.
    Bring forth the Holly, the Box and the Bay,
    Deck out your cottage for glad Christmas Day.

Sing we all merrily, sing of Christ’s birth,
Sing what the angels sang, peace upon earth.
Parents and children in bright garments dress’d
Hasten to church to sing praise with the rest.
    Parents and children in bright garments dress’d
    Hasten to church to sing praise with the rest.

Sing we all merrily, bring out good cheer,
Think of the absent, and wish they were here,
Pray for our armies by land and by wave,
England’s defenders, the noble, the brave.
    Pray for our armies by land and by wave,
    England’s defenders, the noble, the brave.

Sing we all merrily, draw round the fire,
Father and mother, and grandson and sire,
Tell of the mercies to ev’ry one given
Talk of the dear ones who’ve left us for heaven.
    Tell of the mercies to ev’ry one given
    Talk of the dear ones who’ve left us for heaven.

Sing we all merrily, Christmas is here,
Day that we have best of days in the year.
Sisters in service, and brothers away.
Oh how we wish they was with us today.
    Sisters in service, and brothers away,
    Oh how we wish they was with us today.

Source: Paul & Liz Davenport, Down Yorkshire Lanes