From Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern by William Sandys (London: Richard Beckley, 1833), page 110.


TO-MORROW SHALL BE MY DANCING DAY

1. To-morrow shall be my dancing day,
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance.

CHORUS: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love.

2. Then was I born of a Virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance;
Thus was I knit to man's nature,
To call my true love to my dance.

3. In a manger laid and wrapp'd I was,
So very poor, this was my chance,
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass,
To call my true love to my dance.

4. Then afterwards baptized I was,
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father's voice heard from above,
To call my true love to my dance.

5. Into the desert I was led,
Where I fasted without substance;
The Devil bade me make stones my bread,
To have me break my true love's dance.

6. The Jews on me they made great suit,
And with me made great variance,
Because they lov'd darkness rather than light,
To call my true love to my dance.

7. For thirty pence Judas me sold,
His covetousness for to advance;
Mark whom I kiss, the same do hold,
The same is he shall lead the dance.

8. Before Pilate the Jews me brought,
Where Barabbas had deliverance,
They scourg'd me and set me at nought,
Judged me to die to lead the dance.

9. Then on the cross hanged I was,
Where a spear to my heart did glance;
There issued forth both water and blood,
To call my true love to my dance.

10. Then down to Hell I took my way
For my true love's deliverance,
And rose again on the third day
Up to my true love and the dance.

11. Then up to Heaven I did ascend,
Where now I dwell in sure substance,
On the right hand of God, that man
May come unto the general dance.