University of Virginia Library


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OLD CHRISTMAS.

A Carol.

I.

The north wind blows the snow-clouds up,
And through the snow the church bells ring,
While Love outside stands caroling;
So heap the fire and fill a cup,
And let us welcome Christmas in,
Who comes with goodly gifts for all,
Good gifts of Heaven and Earth for all,
To rich and poor with mirth for all,
To rich and poor with mirth!
Come, let us make sweet din, my dear,
To welcome Christmas in, my dear,
To welcome Christmas in;
And underneath the mistletoe,
Merrily, ho! merrily, ho!
Merrily, ho! begin.

II.

The frost is keen on field and knoll,
And lights are bright in church and hall;
Come, gather, gather, one and all,
And heap the fire and brew a bowl,
And welcome in old Christmastime;
Good will to all and peace to all,
Good will and peace on Earth to all,
Good will and joy and mirth to all,
Good will and joy and mirth!

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Come, join in ringing rhyme, my dear,
To welcome Christmastime, my dear,
To welcome Christmastime!
And where the holly wreathes the wall,
Merrily all! merrily all!
Join in some Christmas mime!

III.

The snow falls fast; the ways are white;
The trees seem ghosts in winding sheets;
Loud on the pane the tempest beats;
Come, fill the house with candle-light,
And welcome in good Christmas-cheer;
Good cheer to all and love to all,
Good cheer and love on Earth to all,
Good cheer and love and mirth to all,
Good cheer and love and mirth!
Around the fir-tree here, my dear,
Come, welcome in good cheer, my dear,
Come, welcome in good cheer!
Then round the board till break of day—
Merrily, hey! merrily, hey!
Give a rouse for the coming year!