Good and True, Fresh and New Christmas Carols

Now let true hearts together twine,
Where Modesty with mirth doth joyne,
And let each Christian werry make
For Iesus Christ our Saviours sake,
And for the blessed Saints which dy'd,
Who are in Heaven deify'd
[woodcut, virgin Mary holding holy infant with two cherubs]

Printed at London by E. P. for Francis Coles, dwelling in the Old-Baily. 1642.

Good and true, Fresh and New CHRISTMAS CAROLS.

A Caroll for Christmas day: To the tune of Troy Towne.

THe glorious Son of Heaven is up,
cicering the clouds or ignorance,
And for to save our Soules from Hell,
which by old Adam was our chance;
True God, a Saviour, Prophet, King,
From heaven being sent, good newes did bring.
The holy Angell Gabriell came
to blessed Mary meeke and mild,
Saying all haile, thou full of grace,
this day thou hast conceiv'd a child,
A Saviour to all Mankind sure,
She said, I am a Virgin pure.
This vertuous Virgin was betroth'd
to righteous Joseph at that time,
Who then perceiving other swell.
[...]ed thinke that she had done a crime:
To him the Angell Gabriell said,
Feare not thy wife, she's a pure Maid.
At that same time the Em [...]erour
great tares on his Subjects layd.
Man Woman, Child, where they were borne,
must travell, where it must be payd;
Joseph and Mary then forth went,
And many a weary step they spent.
At length to Bethelem they came,
being a Village that was poore,
Where as no bed was to be had,
the Innes as then could hold no more;
Within an Ore-stall she did lye,
And yet she tooke it patiently.
It pleased God that very morne,
time came, she should delivered be,
Where it did j [...]y her gentle heart,
her blessed Saviour to see;
Now was she Mother, Wife, and Maid,
Who had the Lawes of God obey'd,
No Midwives helpe she there could have,
no Swathing bands of Linnen pure,
Nor dandling Nurses her to helpe,
yet she most patient did endure,
No golden Robe nor such like things,
Although he was the King of Kings.
His Cradle there a Manger was,
whereas the Asse and Oxe did feed,
But there bright Angells did appeare,
with harmony, as God decreed;
A glorious Star did then appeare
To certaine Shepheards that were neere.
They wondring at this unknowne Star,
at length from heaven a voyce they heard,
Who bid them follow that same light,
and wisht them not to be affeard;
Saying, in Bethelem this morne,
A Saviour and a King is borne.
King Herod hearing of the same,
was vext at heart most cruelly,
Who swore, all Children two yeares old,
or under, every one should dye;
And he his bloody Souldiers sent,
Lo murder each poore Innocent.
But God his malice to prevent,
an Angell did to Joseph send,
And bid him take his Wife and Babe,
and unto Ae [...]ypt Land to w [...]nd;
Where seven long yeares they did remaine,
Till Herods [...]te by death was lane.
Thus have you heard our Saviours birth,
who for our wicked sins did dye,
For to redeeme our soules from death,
to live with him eternally:
A ioyfull Christmas to all send,
And thus my Caroll I doe end.

An other for Christmas day. To the tune of All you that are Good fellowes.

ALl you that are good fellowes,
come hearken to my Song,
I know you doe not hate good cheere,
nor Liquor that is strong,
I hope there is none here,
but soone will rake my part,
Seeing my Master and my Dame,
sayes, welcome with their heart.
This is a time of ioyfulnesse,
and merry time of yecre,
When as the rich with plenty stor'd,
doth make the poore good cheere;
Plum-poregde, Roast-beefe, and Minc'd-pies,
stands smoaking on the boord,
With other brave [...]arieties,
our Master doth affoord.
Our Mistresse and her cleanly Maids,
have neatly playd the Cookes,
Me thinkes these dishes eagerly
at my sharpe stomacke lookes;
As though they were affraid,
to see me draw my Blade,
But I reveng'd on them will be,
untill my stomack's stayd.
Come fill us o [...] the strongest,
small drinke is out of date,
Me thinks I shall fare like a Prince,
and [...]it in gallant state;
This is no Mizers Feast,
although that things be deare,
God grant the Founder of this Feast,
each Christmas keepe good cheere.
This day for Christ we celebrate,
who was borne at this time,
For which all Christians should rejoyce,
and I doe sing in Rime:
When you have given God thankes,
unto your dainties fall,
Heavens blesse my Mass [...] and my Daine
Lord blesse me, and you all.

A Caroll for Saint Stevens day. To the tune of, Wigmores Galliard.

I Thinke none here but they have heard
the malice of the Iewes,
And [...]ow the Saints of Iesus Christ
they did abuse and use;
This day for swéet Saint Stev [...]n sake
we now doe celebrate,
Who did professe the faith of Christ,
for which they did him hate.
The Word of God so them he taught,
for which they did him kill,
Who like a Lambe he then did dye,
and never thought them ill;
One of Christs followers was he,
and first that martir [...]d was
After our blessed Saviour
did suffer on the Crosse.
For they with great affliction
most vtidly did him use,
They said he sow [...]d sedition,
and therefore him accuse;
Vnto a Stake they did him tye,
both armes and legs with cords,
Because he told them of their sinnes,
they gave him cruell words.
Like bloody cruell minded men,
at him they threw huge stones,
They brus [...]d his flesh, beare out his braines,
and breaketh all his bones:
But ere he di'd, to heaven above
he lifted up his tyes,
And praied to God he would forgive
his cruell Enemies

An other merry Carrell, for the same day. To the tune of, Bonny sweet Rohin.

COme mad Boy [...]s, be glad Boyes, for Christmas is heere
And we shal be feasted with iolly good chéer
Then let us be merry, tis Saint S [...]e [...]s day,
Lets eate and drink frée ly, her's nothing do pay.
My Master bids welcame, & so doth my Dame,
And 'tis yonder smoking dish doch me instante,
Anon Ile be with you, though, you me, outface,
For now I doe tell you I have time and place:
Ile troule the boule to you, them let it go [...] round,
My héels are so light they can stand on no groad̄d.
My congue it doth chater. & goes pitter patter,
Heet's good chéer and strong béer, for I wil not flatter.
And now for remembrance of blessed S. Stephen,
Let's ioy at morn [...], at noone and at evening,
Then leave of your [...]ineing & fal to mince pies
I pray take my counsell, be ruld by the wise.

A Caroll for Saint Iohns day. To the tune of, Flying fame:

IOhn signifies the grace of God,
then unto God lets pray,
That he will still direct our pathes
and guide us in his way,
Iohn Baptis'd Christ in Iordan flood,
true baptisme for to take,
And for to wash away our sinnes,
the old law to forsake.
Herod the King he married
his Brother Phillips wife,
Saint Iohn rebuking him therefore,
it cost his dearest life,
He told them 'twas a deadly sin,
and that it was full evill,
Then Herod said he was possest
by an infernall Devill,
And straight in Prison him he casts,
last bound in iron chain [...]s,
Where he in hunger, cold and [...]oe,
a many dayes remaines;
M [...]ane whi [...] the birth day of the King
it was solemnised,
But unto Iohn it fatall was,
for then he lost his head.
Great banqueting and feasting then
prepared was that day,
And severall sorts of musick swéete
melodiously did play;
A dainty Damsell nearly danc't.
which pleas [...]d the King so well,
Which ravished his sences so,
in love with her he sell.
Faire dame quoth he aske any thing,
of me thou shalt it have;
An't p [...]se your Matesty (she said)
John Baptists head I crave;
Which he did grant, and then straight way
his head to her was brought,
In a large platter her to please,
such mischiefe then she wrought.

A merry Caroll for the same day. To the tune of, the Kings going to Bulleine.

COme bravely on my Masters,
For here we shall be tasters,
of curious dishes that are brave and fine,
Where they that d [...]e such cheere afford,
Ile lay my knife upon the board,
my master and my dame they dor not pine.
Who i [...]st will not be merry?
And sing downe downe aderry,
for now it is a time of joy and mirth,
Tis said, tis merry in the Hall
When as beards they doe wa [...] all,
Gods plen is here, it doth not [...]ew a death.
Let him take all liv [...]s longest,
Come fill us of [...],
and I wi [...]l drinke a health to honest John.
Come pray thee But [...]r fill the bow [...]e,
And let it round the Table trole
when that is up Ile tell you more anone.

A Caroll for Innocents day. To the tune of, As at none Duleins rested.

GHis was the day when cruell Herod
heard that Iesus Christ was borne,
(A King, a Saviour and a P [...]het)
in his Land did chinke it scorne;
Command did give
He should no [...] live,
And more his malice to unfold,
Streight charge did give,
No Male should live
The which were under two yeares old.
His bloody Senidiers went to murde [...]
each poore filly Innocent,
But God in Heaven which all things séeth,
did his malice [...]ooue prevent;
An Angell there
Then did appeare
To Joseph, and did him command,
With his deare Mate
And Baby streight,
With speed to flye to Aegypt Land.
Now what great ferrour twas to Mothers
children sucking at their brest
Broody villaines with their Poniards,
from their Mothers nipple wrest,
In peeces there
They did them teare,
And with their Swords they did them hew,
As tis exprest,
Among the rest,
King Herods young son had his due.

A merry Caroll for the same day. To the tune of, the Spanish Pavin.

CAst care away, tis Holyday,
This is no time to worke, but play,
With this good chéerd Ile make a fray,
and meane to fill my belly;
And quickly for to end the strife,
I with my spoone and with my knife,
Doe meane to keepe a heavy life,
I tell yée.
By er leave good Master and good Dame,
For this [...]ent I h [...]ther came,
I see here's nothing out of frame,
and many than [...]es I give you,
I here am come as a bold Guest,
And know I me welcome to your Feast,
Whereas your love it is exprest
most freely.
And now my Friends and Neighbours all,
Your cheere and beere it is not small,
And bold'y to your victuals fall,
by leave, I give you warning;
I now will drinke a full carouse
Vnto the Owners of this house,
And for our foes care not a Louse;
nor farthing.

A Caroll for New-yeares day. To the tune of, Greene Sleeves.

THe old yeare now away is fied,
The new yeare it is entered,
Then let us now our sins downe tread,
and ioyfu [...]ly all appeare,
Let [...]s merry be this Holyday,
And let us now both sport and play,
Hang sorrow, let's cast care away,
God send you a happy new yeare.
For Christs Circumcision this day we keepe,
Who for our sins did often weepe,
His hands and feet were wounded deepe,
and his blessed side with a Speare,
His head they crowned then with Thorne,
And at him they did laugh and scor [...]e,
Who for to save our Soules was borne,
God send us a merry new yeare.
And now with New-yeares Gifts each Friend,
Vnto each other they doe send,
God grant we may all our lives amend,
and that the truth may appeare;
Now like the Snake cast off your skin
Of evill thoughts and wicked sin,
And to amend this new yeare begin.
God send us a merry new yeare.
And now let all the company
In secondly manner all agree,
For we are here welcome all may see
unto this folly good cheere;
I thanke my Master and my Dame,
The which are founders of the same,
To eate to drinke now is no shame,
God send us a merry new yeare.
Come Lads and Lasses every one,
Iack, Tom, Dick, Besse, Mary and Ione,
Lets cut the meate up unto the bone,
for welcome you need not feare,
And here for good liquor we shall not lack,
It will whet my braines & strengthen my back
This ioylly good cheere it must goe to wrack,
God send us a merry new yeare.
Come give's more liquor when I doe call,
Ile drinke to each one in this Hall,
I hope that so loud I must not baule,
but unto me lend an eare;
Good fortune to n [...]y master send,
And to my dame which is our friend,
Lord blesse us all, and so I end,
and God send us a happy new yeare.

A Caroll for Twelfe day. To the tune of, the Ladies fall.

MArke well my heavy dolefull tale,
for Twelfe day now is come,
And now I must no longer [...]ng,
and say no words but mum,
For I perforce must take my leave,
of all my dainty cheere,
Plum Porredge, Rost Béefe, and Mine'd Pies,
my strong Ale and my Beere.
Kind hearted Christmas now adiew,
for I with thee must part,
And for to take my leave with thee,
doth grieve me at the heart:
Thou wert an ancient Housekéeper,
and mi [...]th with meat didst kéepe,
But thou art going out of towne,
which makes me for to wéepe.
God knoweth whether I againe
thy merry face shall see,
Which to Good-fellowes and the Poore
that was so franke and free,
Thou lovedst pastime with thy heart
and eke good company;
Pray hold me up for feare I swound,
for I am like to dye.
Come Butler fill a Brin [...]ner full,
to cheere my fainting heart,
That to old Chrstmas I may drinke,
before he doth depart;
And let each one that's in this roome,
with me likewise condole,
And for to cheere their spirits sad,
let each one drinke a boule.
And when the same it hath gon round,
then fall unto your cheere,
For you doe know that Christmas time,
it comes but once a yeare;
But this good draught which I have drank,
hath comforted my heart,
For I was very fearfull that
my stomack would depart.
Thanks to my Master and my Dame,
that doth such cheere afford,
God blesse them, that each Christmas they
may furnish thus their board;
My stomack being come to me,
I meane to have a bout,
Intending to eat most heartily,
good friends I doe not floute.

A merry Caroll for the same day. To the tune of, The Spanish Gipsies.

COme follow follow me,
Those that Good fellowes be,
Into the Butterie,
Our manhood for to try,
The Master keepes a bounteous house
And gives leave freely to carouse.
Then wherefore should we feare,
Séeing here is store of chéere,
It shewes but cowardise,
At this time to be nice,
Then boldly draw your blades and fight
For we shall have a merry night.
When we have done this fray,
Then we will goe to play
At Cardes, or else at D [...]ee,
And be rich in a trice;
Then let the kneves go [...] round a pace,
I hope each time to have an Ac [...].
Come Maids let's want no B [...]re
After our Christmas cheere.
And I will only crave
Good Husbands you may have,
And that you may good houses keepe,
Where we may drink carouses deepe.
A [...] when that's speat the day.
Where Christmas Camb [...]ls play,
A [...] Hotcochles beside,
And then goe to All [...]de,
With many other pretty [...]oyes,
Men, women, [...]outhes, maids, girles, and b [...]yes.
Come less dance round the Hall,
And let's for liquor call,
Put Apples in the fire
Swéet Maids I you desire,
And let a Boule be spiced well,
Of nappy stuffe that doth excell.
Twelve dayes we now have spent
In mirth and merriment,
And daintily did fare,
For which we tooke no care,
But now I sadly call to mind
What daies of sorrow are behind,
We must leave off to play,
To mo [...]ow's working day,
According to each calling,
Each man must now be falling,
And ply his businesse all the yeare,
Next Christmas for to eate good chéere.
No [...] of my Master kind
Good welcome I did find.
And of my loving Mistrife
This merry time of Christmas,
For which to them great thanks I give,
God grant they long together live.

A modest Caroll for any of the Twelve dayes, or to be sung at any time of the yeere.
To the Tune of, In the merry Maying time.

A Dozen of good Points Ile give,
The which will last you while you live.
1
One God there is of Glory might,
One Faith to guide our Soules aright,
One Truth that Errors doe descry,
One Baptisme to know Christians by.
2
Two Testaments, the Old and New,
Where Law and Gospel thou mayst view:
The first, for Déeds doth Precepts give;
The other, we by Faith shall live.
3
Thrée Persons in the Trinitie,
One God in perfect Vnitie,
The Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost,
The which doth rule the Heavenly Host.
4
Foure blessed Sanctified Men,
For our Salvation, that did Pen
Our Saviours Birth, his Life, and Death,
And how we should be sav [...]d by Faith.
5
Five Senses every Man containes,
As Governours that rules and raignes,
Thy Hearing, Séeing, Féeling, Tast,
And Smelling (Death spoyles all at last.)
6
Six dayes thou hast to labour in,
So mercifull thy God hath bin,
Of seven, he doth take but one;
Oh rob him not, and leave him none.
7
Seven Arts and Sciences there are,
As Rethorique, and the Grammar,
With Logick, Musick, Geometry,
Arithmetick, Astronomy.
8
Eight persons in the Arke of Noahs
Were sav'd, when God the rest destroyes,
For all the World besides were drown'd,
Onely those eight he righteous found.
9
Nine Muses, like the Heavens nine Spheares;
To ioy each mans inclining eares,
Chearing each melancholy mind,
The which to sorrow is inclin'd.
[...]

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