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I. THE FIRST NOWELL
Was the Heaven dark then,
Robbed of its light,
When little Jesus came to men
On a Christmas night?
Robbed of its light,
When little Jesus came to men
On a Christmas night?
Was it dark and dead?
Yea, lonesome to see,
All for the little golden head
That lay on Mary's knee.
Yea, lonesome to see,
All for the little golden head
That lay on Mary's knee.
Certes, Heavenly folk
Fled after Him where
He lay amid the harmless flock
In the stable bare.
Fled after Him where
He lay amid the harmless flock
In the stable bare.
Certes, stars alike
Trooped from the sky,
And when He oped His lovely eyes
Sang Lullaby.
Trooped from the sky,
And when He oped His lovely eyes
Sang Lullaby.
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Certes, Heaven was dim,
Its lights all fled away,
Yea, Cherubim and Seraphim
Knelt in the hay.
Its lights all fled away,
Yea, Cherubim and Seraphim
Knelt in the hay.
Powers, Principalities,
Archangels in a band,
Before the Baby bent their knees
Kissing His hand.
Archangels in a band,
Before the Baby bent their knees
Kissing His hand.
Who lay so small and soft,
New from His Mother's womb.
Since Heaven was in the cattle's croft
Heaven was in gloom.
New from His Mother's womb.
Since Heaven was in the cattle's croft
Heaven was in gloom.
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