Page:Our American Holidays - Christmas.djvu/330

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CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS CAROL

As Joseph was a-waukin'
    He heard an angel sing,
"This night shall be the birthnight
    Of Christ our heavenly King.

"His birth-bed shall be neither
    In housen nor in hall,
Nor in the place of paradise,
    But in the oxen stall.

"He neither shall be rockèd
    In silver nor in gold,
But in the wooden manger
    That lieth in the mould.

"He neither shall be washen
    With white wine nor with red,
But with the fair spring water
    That on you shall be shed.

"He neither shall be clothèd
    In purple nor in pall,
But in the fair, white linen
    That usen babies all."

As Joseph was a-waukin',
    Thus did the angel sing,
And Mary's son at midnight
    Was born to be our King.