The Wexford Carol

Good people all, this Christmastime,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending His beloved Son.
O let us all both sing and pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem that Christmas morn
There was a blessed Messiah born.
The night before that happytide,
The noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass.
From ev'ry door turned back, alas.
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but an humble ox's stall.
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God's angels did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
"Prepare and go," the angels said,
"To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you'll find, this happy morn,
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born."
With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went the Babe to find
And as God's angel had foretold
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the Virgin Maid
Attending on the Lord of Life
Who came on earth to end all strife.