,,bethlehem ,illustration ,,bethlehem ,a ,,nativity ,,play ,,by ,,laurence ,,housman ,,performed ,,with ,,music ,,by ,,joseph ,,moorat ,,under ,,the ,,stage-,,direction ,,of ,,edward ,,gordon ,,craig ,,december ,,mcmii ,,london ,,macmillan ,,and ,,co41 ,,limited ,,new ,,york3 ,,the ,,macmillan ,,company #aijb ,all rights reserved ,,act ,i4 ,,chorus enters and speaks before the curtain4 ,ye ,gentles1 that come here to watch our play1 ,put1 we beseech you1 thought of us away6 ,no standing here have we3 in heart we kneel1 ,with1 at our hearts1 this prayer1--that ye may feel ,how in ,love's hands time is a little thing6 ,and so shall ,love to-night your senses bring ,back to the hills of ,bethlehem1 the fold ,where shepherds watched their sheep1 where angels told ,of peace1 goodwill to men1 in ,christ new-born1 ,by ,whom1 from ,virgin ,birth1 our flesh goes worn4 ,also1 if we may guide you1 ye shall see ,the manger where in great humility ,lieth that ,babe1 the ,maker of us all1 ,by ,mary's side1 amid the beasts in stall4 ,and ye shall see the coming of the ,kings1 ,led by a star2 and ,gabriel that brings ,unto ,st4 ,joseph1 in a dream by night1 ,word of ,king ,herod's fear1 and counsels flight4 ,so1 lastly1 ye shall see them rise and go1 ,and the place vacant left4 ,yet ye shall know ,that ,love remains1 and that ,faith sees it so4 ,so1 have ye hope6 let ,time your trust increase6 ,hark1 ,i hear music6 ,christmas comes2 'tis peace6 ,pastoral music3 a shepherd's voice is heard4 #8,the world is old1 to-night1 ,the world is old2 ,the stars around the fold ,do show their light1 do show their light4 ,and so they did1 and so1 ,a thousand years ago1 ,and so will do1 dear love1 when you lie cold4' ,the curtain opens4 ,,young ,,shepherd 7sings74 ,the world is still1 to-night1 ,the world is still2 ,the snow on vale and hill ,like wool lies white1 like wool lies white4 ,and so it was1 and so1 ,a thousand years ago1 ,and so will be1 good lads1 when we lack will4 ,,watcher4 ,ay-oh1 ay-oh1 ay-oh6 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,there be good fairies up in air to-night3 ,come ere a frost so mild with stars so bright8 ,the wind has shut itself in-door again1 ,and all the air be saft like a'ter rain4 ,,watcher4 ,ay-oh1 ay-oh1 ay-oh6 #b,,nd ,,shepherd 7rising74 ,the sheep be quiet2 the dogs have nought to do2 ,the lambs come kind2 there haven't been a ewe ,lost1 nor a still one born1 this moon1 there an't3 ,a thing ,i can't remember1 nor ,i can't1 ,since ,i've been shepherd3--that's nigh forty year4 #c,,rd ,,shepherd4 ,well1 well6 #d,,th ,,shepherd4 ,what star be that'n out yonder there8 ,it's been a-coming on1 night a'ter night1 ,this long time back1 but never looked so bright ,as 'a do now4 ,,watcher4 ,ay-oh1 ay-oh1 ay-oh6 #d,,th ,,shepherd4 ,d'you think stars have a way ,of coming out like1 special1 when they got summut to say8 ,i've often wondered how it is they are3 ,you never seem to get no nearer to a star1-- ,walk a'ter 'em a mile they still seem just as far4 #c,,rd ,,shepherd4 ',tis as ,god made 'em4 ,like as they were geese1 ,go a'ter 'em1 and they turns tail and flees2 ,then you go back1 and back they come at you6 ,so as ,god made 'em's what they got to do4 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,aye1 ,i don't doubt the stars lays facts to mind3 ,there's them as say men's names be marked and signed1-- ,writ in the roof up there1 for proof that ,god's behind4 ,,watcher4 ,ay-oh1 ay-oh1 ay-oh6 #e,,th ,,shepherd4 ,you think a star knows what it's all about1 ,a-blazing for8 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,i haven't got a doubt ,he does6 ,that star--now1 don't tell me no more ,you think he don't know what he's shining for6 ,look at him jerking and working1 and a-winking and a-blinking2-- ,well1--that's him thinking4 #c,,rd ,,shepherd4 ,well1 if he thinks the things ,god sets him to1 ,like we poor men1 he got enough to do6 ,,watcher4 ,ay-oh1 ay-oh1 ay-oh6 #d,,th ,,shepherd4 ,there's old blind ,abe a-looking6 ,don't he seem ,as if he saw it8 #b,,nd ,,shepherd4 ,aye6 he likes to dream ,he's won his sight back1 tho' it's been twelve year gone4 ,abe1 what d'you think you've got your eye upon8 ,,abel4 ,a good sight6 aye1 and a sight as you can't see ,so well as ,i4 ,the thought just come to me1 ,while all of you sat talking by my side1 ,like to the word the prophet prophesied2-- ,and while you talked1 the thought o' it kep' me dumb3-- ,shiloh1 thinks ,i1--will ,i see ,shiloh come8 ,and all at once these words were in my head1-- ,what he1--the man whose eyes were open--said ,aforetime1 #8,i shall see him2--but not now6' ,says he1 #8,i shall behold him2--but not nigh3 #8,out of ,jacob there shall come forth a ,star1 #8,and a ,sceptre in ,israel shall be raised high4'-- ,so he bare witness of things seen afar4 ,and that being told so many years ago1 ,yet still to come1 do surely seem to show ,how we be likelier to behold that ,star ,than he who only spoke o' it from afar4 ,and in that day1 'tis told1 the dumb shall talk1 ,the old shall leap1 and the lame man shall walk1 ,and the blind man recover back his sight6 #c,,rd ,,shepherd4 ,well1 well1 it may be so6 ,god will do right4 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,may we be there to see when that day shows3 ,what it can do for such as we--,god knows6 ,,watcher4 ,ay-oh6444 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,why6 who be yon fine gentleman in white ,stepping across the sheepfolds to the right8 #d,,th ,,shepherd4 ,how comes it that his face be lit so bright8 #c,,rd ,,shepherd4 ,the blood pricks in my thumbs2 ',tis like a ghost he comes6 ,enter ,,gabriel4 ,,gabriel4 ,let nothing you annoy6 ,behold1 ,i bring ,good tidings of great joy3 ,to you a ,king ,this day is born1 to you and all mankind4 ,even ,christ the ,lord1 to man's estate resigned4 #c,,rd ,,shepherd4 ,o ,lord1 ,o ,lord6 was ever the like heard tell6 ,,abel4 ,hold ye your peace1 neighbours6 he speaks us well4 ,,gabriel4 ,and of that same ,let this be for a sign3 ,in ,bethlehem1 ,cradled amid the kine1 ,a ,babe in swaddling-bands ye there shall find4 #d,,th ,,shepherd4 ,have you no fear8 oh1 ,abel1 but you're blind6 ,,abel4 ,peace1 and give ear6 ,new light shines in my mind4 ,,gabriel4 ,and as a shepherd he shall feed ,his flocks1 and in his arms shall bear ,the lambs1 and like a father fair ,the ewes with young shall lead4 ,enter ,,angels4 ,,angels4 ,,semi-,,chorus4 ,,semi-,,chorus4 ,glory to ,god ,in the ,highest6 ,who unto man ,now comes nighest4 ,peace be to earth6 ,goodwill to all6 ,christ the new ,birth ,redeems man's fall4 ,,gabriel4 ,ye holy and humble men of fearful heart1 ,be not afraid with these to take your part6 ,to-night ,god gives you sight2 then be not blind2 ,behold with us the high celestial mind6 ,ye also with one voice must here rejoice4 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,we be poor mortals6 ,here's all ,heaven in sight6 ,,gabriel4 ,the ,heavens themselves are joined with earth to-night4 ,fear not1 but rise6 ,mercy and ,truth are met2 ,and ,righteousness on ,peace her seal hath set4 ,stand and be strong1 ,ye1 too1 shall share our song6 ,,semi-,,chorus4 ,glory to ,god2 on earth1 peace1 goodwill6 ,he smites with ,his rod1 and the waters are still2 ,he maketh it bud for the evil and good1 ,he lifts the low valley and bends the high hill4 ,,semi-,,chorus4 ,thou ,christ art the ,rod1 and ,thy reign shall be peace6 ,at the power of ,thy nod1 all warfare shall cease4 ,the desert shall blossom and be as the rose1 ,when the ,healing of nations from ,bethlehem flows4 ,,chorus4 ,glory to ,god ,in the ,highest6 ,who unto man ,now comes nighest4 ,peace be to earth6 ,goodwill to all6 ,christ the new ,birth ,redeems man's fall4 ,the ,,angels disappear4 #d,,th ,,shepherd4 ,sir1 have we dreamed this8 ,,gabriel4 ,let your own hearts tell6 ,do dreams bequeath such joy8 ,your bosoms swell1 ,your faces glow1 your eyes are full of cheer4 ,why are they so8 ,lately you had great fear1 ,and stood as huddled flocks before a storm2 ,have dreams1 then1 made you warm8 #d,,th ,,shepherd4 ,oh1 ,sir1 'tis true6 ,yet scarcely do ,i know what next to do4 #b,,nd ,,shepherd4 ,you come wi' me1 lad6 come along o' me1 ,we'll all be off to ,bethlehem1 and see ,what they be doing there6 ,lord1 ,lord1 ,i doubt ,whether ,i'll know to find me way about ,with such high things a-happening6 ,sir1 you see ,there ain't much show about the likes o' we1 ,but what ,i say's--if this be true--well1 well1 ',tis the best news that ever ,i heard tell6 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,and the best fortune any on us has had6 ,lord1 though1 but don't it make an old heart glad6 ,christ born8 ,you say it is so1 ,sir8 ,so be it6 ,thank ,god as we should be alive to see it6 ,,abel4 ,be ,he at ,bethlehem8 ,,gabriel4 ,aye1 there go ye6 ,while ye so fare1 your folds shall guarded be2 ,round them even now stand those ye do not see4 ,go ye in peace6 ,,shepherds4 ,we thank you kindly1 ,sir4 ,,shepherds 7sing74 ,now we will go1 now we will go1 ,the way we know to ,bethlehem2 ,that they may show1 and we may know1 ',tis even so as you proclaim4 ,and we will take the bread we bake1 ,the wine we make1 as gifts to them2 ,and milk and cheese2 and on our knees ,will offer these at ,bethlehem4 ,and ,he shall know we love ,him so1 ,but cannot show a better way ,of service dear1 and loving cheer1 ,than we do here on ,christmas ,day4 ,exeunt several of the ,,shepherds4 #f,,th ,,shepherd4 ,sir1 do you think that ,i might make so bold ,as offer ,him a young lamb from the fold8 ',twas the first dropped this lambing time2 maybe ,he'll take it kindly from the likes o' we1 ,we being simple shepherds4 ,,gabriel4 ,simple8 ,yes6 ,would ,god1 all minds had this same simpleness6 ,take ,him what gifts ye will6 ,to-night on earth ,all's peace to greet ,christ's birth4 #e,,th ,,shepherd4 ,noticed you that8 ,he made the shepherd's sign3 'a did it pat6 ,,shepherds 7without74 ,come on1 lads1 come6 #f,,th ,,shepherd4 ,good-night1 ,sir4 ,,gabriel4 ,peace befall ,you and your ways6 ,good-night1 friend2 good-night1 all4 ,exeunt ,,shepherds4 ,,shepherds 7in the distance singing74 ,and we will go1 and we will go1 ,the way we know to ,bethlehem2 ,that ,love may show1 and we may know1 ',tis even so as you proclaim4 ,enter the ,,angel ,,of ,,the ,,star4 ,he crosses the stage and departs4 ,enter the ,,kings4 #a,,st ,,king4 ,hear me1 ,o ,king of ,kings1 ,and give me my desire6 #b,,nd ,,king4 ,hive me beneath ,thy wings1 ,and guide my feet with fire6 #c,,rd ,,king4 ,unto that ,holy ,mount1 ,where forth from ,thee goes ,light4 ,,all4 ,whence springs a ,living ,fount ,to wash the whole world white4 ,,gabriel4 ,peace be with you1 and hail6 ,where go ye this fair night1 ,travellers1 and what seek ye8 #a,,st ,,king4 ,we seek from the hill the vale1 ,and from the vale the hill4 #b,,nd ,,king4 ,from the ends of the morning1 rest2 ,and from the ,east the ,west4 #c,,rd ,,king4 ,in the darkness we seek fire1 ,and out of dreams the heart's desire6 ,and1 if to-day we fail1 ,to-morrow we seek it still4 ,,gabriel4 ,are ye not weary1 seeking so8 ,are ye not laden with care8 #a,,st ,,king4 ,we are not weary4 ,if our feet be slow1 ',tis with the burden of the ,love we bear4 ,it is our longing for the ,light we seek ,which makes us weak4 ,,gabriel4 ,what is the longing of each one8 #c,,rd ,,king4 ,melchior1 wilt thou first speak8 #b,,nd ,,king4 ,too slow my footsteps move ,for the goal ,i seek to prove4 ,my body is a waste1 ,through which my soul doth haste1 ,famished until it taste ,its nameless new desire6 ,a flame my spirit owns1 ,ashes are all my bones1 ,love lights in me such fire6 ,i thirst6 my throat is dried6 ,i ask2--am still denied6 ,cry to be satisfied3 ,yet only as ,love will4 ,now1 if ,he come not first1 ,not death1 but ease were worst2-- ,let me die1 thirsting still6 ,,gabriel4 ,and you8 #c,,rd ,,king4 ,i have such ,love6 ,beauty1 ,i know not of1 ,hath laid on me the vision of its ,light4 ,when that ,light shines1 earth's ends ,therein shall all be friends3 ,they shall not hurt nor kill1 but on the height ,named ,holy shall be peace4 ,then shall all warfare cease1 ,and every king his crown ,shall at the cradle of a new-born ,babe lay down4 ,,gabriel4 ,and thou1 that standest last1 ,say what desire thou hast8 #a,,st ,,king4 ,for ,earth's waiting to be done2 ,for ,god to send forth ,his ,son1 ,godhead and man made one6 ,that creation1 wrought afresh1 ,may be finished and made whole2 ,that the ,word may become ,flesh1 ,and ,earth receive her soul6 ,pray we for this1 ,seeing well how good it is4 ,,gabriel4 ,behold1 this night shall bring you to your bliss4 #c,,rd ,,king4 ,whence comes thy knowledge to make hope so near8 ,,gabriel4 ,oh1 let your ears be opened till they hear6 ,open your eyes1 and mark with fearless sight ,the throng of thanksgiving which fills this night3 ,nor walks on heaven alone1 but earth as well6 ,sound in sweet tone1 celestial ,choirs1 and tell6 ,,angels 7appearing74 ,glory to ,god ,in the ,highest6 ,who unto man ,now comes nighest4 ,peace be to earth6 ,goodwill to all6 ,christ the new ,birth ,redeems man's fall4 #a,,st ,,king4 ,oh1 ye blest sounds1 be as the air we breathe6 #b,,nd ,,king4 ,oh1 fair things seen1 your light to us bequeath6 #c,,rd ,,king4 ,and if there be an ending to our quest1 ,show1 now1 where lies our rest6 ,,gabriel4 ,o ,kings1 your quest is ended now1 earth joins ,to greet her ,lord1 in ,heaven's exultant strains4 ,righteousness is the girdle of ,his loins1 ,and faithfulness the girdle of ,his reins4 ,the ,spirit of ,god shall rest on ,him1 of might1 ,of wisdom1 and of counsel1 and of fear3 ,he shall not judge according unto sight1 ,neither reprove by the hearing of ,his ear3 ,but by ,his righteousness shall ,he do right1 ,and with ,his equity the meek repay2 ,out of ,his mouth a rod the earth shall smite1 ,and by ,his breath the wicked ,he shall slay4 ,the wolf shall make his dwelling in the fold1 ,the leopard and the kid together play1 ,the young lion with the fatling3 and behold ,a ,little ,child shall lead them in the way6 ,then like the ox the lion shall eat straw1 ,the calf and the young bear be in one pen2 ,the suckling from his hole the asp shall draw1 ,and the weaned child play by the adder's den4 ,they shall not hurt in all my ,holy ,hill1 ,nor shall there any more destruction be3 ,the knowledge of the ,lord the earth shall fill1 ,even as the water covereth the sea4 ,and ,he shall raise ,his people from their sin4 ,this is the way of ,life3 walk ye therein6 #a,,st ,,king4 ,where shall we find ,him8 where throw off our load8 ,,gabriel4 ,in ,bethlehem ,peace makes ,his fair abode4 ,yonder ,his star still lights you to your road4 ,exeunt the ,,kings4 ,,act ,,ii4 ,the inn-stable at ,bethlehem4 ,without1 voices are heard singing4 #8,noel1 ,noel1 ,noel1' ,sang the church bell2 #8,god's in ,his ,heaven1 ,this know well6' ,noel1 ,noel1 ,noel1 ,ding-dong-bell1 ,god from ,high ,heaven ,comes on earth to dwell4 #8,noel1 ,noel1 ,noel1' ,bells ring on earth1 #8,come and know well ,this bright ,birth6' ,,joseph4 ,sleepest thou1 ,mary8 ,,mary4 ,i sleep not2 ,i pray4 ,behold1 on me my ,lord ,his ,head doth lay4 ,look how in sleep ,he takes a mortal's rest3 ,see where ,his ,hand is laid upon my breast6 ,,joseph4 ,mary1 ,i dread to see6 ,,mary4 ,nay1 come more near2 ,but wake ,him not6 ,,joseph4 ,alas6 ,i have such fear4 ,,mary4 ,i1 too3 my soul is glad through very dread ,while in this chamber ,god doth make ,his bed3 ,for now our eyes behold the glorious ,birth ,which shall uplift again low-fallen earth4 ,here1 where ,he rests1 amid these hollowed rocks1 ,i hear the world's heart move in joyful shocks1-- ,the pulsing of her rivers and her springs3 ,i feel the air beat with the throb of wings3 ,and farther up1 amid the heavenly maze1 ,the stars and planets with adoring gaze ,look down and say1 #8,o maid with favour stored1 ,how com'st thou to be ,mother of our ,lord8' ,what can ,i answer1 ,i8 ,let ,gabriel ,speak to those heavenly questioners1 and tell ,how by the ,holy ,ghost this came to be2 ,how power from the ,highest o'ershadowed me1 ,till in my heart ,god came ,himself to lie1 ,perfect fulfilment of all prophecy4 ,naught may ,i know save this3 ,his handmaid ,i4 ,,voices4 #8,ave ,maria1 gratia plena1 ,dominus tecum6 ,benedicta tu in mulieribus1 et ,benedictus ,fructus ventris tui1 ,jesus4' ,a knocking is heard4 ,,joseph4 ,who knocks8 ,,shepherd 7without74 ,a friend3 we be all friendly men3 ,we be the shepherds4 ,,joseph4 ,come in1 shepherds1 then3 ,here's welcome waiting you6 ,behold and bless ,the ,peace within your gates1 the ,plenteousness6 ,the ,,shepherds enter4 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,mother of ,god1 welcome to ,bethlehem6 ,,mary4 ,shepherds of ,israel1 welcome to ,christ's ,birth6 ,,omnes4 ,hail ,mary1 full of grace1 the ,lord is with thee6 ,blessed art thou among women1 and blessed is the fruit of thy womb1 ,jesus4 ,holy ,mary1 ,mother of ,god1 pray for us sinners now1 and in the hour of our death4 ,amen4 ,,mary4 ,behold the handmaid of the ,lord6 ,so as ,his ,word hath ,his ,way been2 ,now ,earth to ,heaven doth room afford2 ,the ,godhead veiled in ,flesh is seen4 ,come and adore1 in form of man1 ,the ,word that was ere worlds began6 ,,omnes4 ,mother ,mary1 hail6 ,and of thy ,grace1 ,lift away the veil ,that hides ,god's face6 ,here ,god lies ,for a short space4 ,mary1 ,mother wise1 ,show us ,god's face6 ,mary1 all the lands1 ,mary1 all the seas1 ,gather in thy hands ,to thy dear knees6 ,mary1 maiden white1 ,mother1 pure within1 ,show to mortal sight ,love that cures sin6 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,mother ,mary1 may we see ,god8 ,,mary4 ,stand near in faith1 behold1 ,be comforted by ,him6 ,here1 shepherds1 is your fold4 ,,abel4 ,lady1 ,i cannot see3 mine eyes are dim4 ,,mary4 ,come near1 in faith3 come near6 ,thou shalt win sight4 ,doubt not3 have thou no fear6 ,,abel4 ,lady1 mine eyes be healed and full of light6 ,,mary4 ,even so1 even so1 ,let ,earth perceive and know6 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,son of ,god1 shine on us6 #b,,nd ,,shepherd4 ,lamb of ,god1 look on us6 #c,,rd ,,shepherd4 ,shepherd of men1 set ,thy sign on us6 #d,,th ,,shepherd4 ,and lay ,thy yoke on us6 #e,,th ,,shepherd4 ,and we will be thankful4 #a,,st ,,shepherd 7kneeling74 ,queen1 ,mother1 pardon me who make so bold ,to speak6 but hearts grown full be hard to hold ,to-night1 as ,heaven hath willed1 have come thy way ,poor folk with meagre speech yet much to say4 ,so1 if word lack1 let thine own wisdom fill3 ,and--give me countenance6--,i'll not speak ill4 ,dear ,mother1 pray for us6 ,foolish we be1 ,untaught and rude3 but what we see we see1 ,and what we hear we hear2 to what's above ,our heads we bow3 and what we love we love6 ,and1 loving thee since our first entrance in1 ,do thereby more love ,god1 and more hate sin2 ,and of all lips would have thy lips to pray ,pardon for us and peace to seek ,his way4 ,fair ,mother1 we have old men here among1 ,as thou may'st see2 and thou1 we see1 art young3 ,yet the name #8,mother' runneth to the tongue ,that seeks a name for thee4 ,may we not all ,thee as our ,lady and our ,mother call1 ,for thy ,son's sake8 ,,mary4 ,amen4 ,so1 shepherds1 do6 ,call as ,love bids you1 and ,i'll answer you4 #a,,st ,,shepherd4 ,mother1 ,i have laid bread here at thy feet4 ,for thy ,son's sake1 ,i pray thee take and eat6 #b,,nd ,,shepherd4 ,mother1 ,i bring thee milk4 #c,,rd ,,shepherd4 ,i bring thee cheese4 #d,,th ,,shepherd4 ,i have brought nuts4 ,strengthen ,his teeth on these1 ,when they begin to pair4 #e,,th ,,shepherd4 ,also here's wine1 ,good for a festal1 or when frost bites fine4 ,also my cloak is thine4 #f,,th ,,shepherd4 ,dear ,mother1 for ,god's sake1 ,wilt thou1 ,i prithee1 take ,this firstling from the fold8 ,it is so beautiful1 ,and thereto hath warm wool ,to ward one from the cold4 ,take it1 then1 to thy lap ,beside thy ,son3 ,it may keep warm1 mayhap1 ,the ,blessed ,one4 ,,mary4 ,it shall keep warm my heart1 shepherd1 to thee4 #g,,th ,,shepherd4 ,mother1 my empty hands do me a wrong3 ,no gift have ,i1 but in my lips a song ,such as we shepherds sing4 ,,mary4 ,such songs are best4 ,to-night your lips shall lull the ,shepherd's ,king ,to rest4 #g,,th ,,shepherd 7sings74 ,the world is old to-night1 ,the world is old2 ,the stars around the fold ,do show their light4 ,and so they did1 and so1 ,a thousand years ago1 ,and so will do1 dear ,love1 when you lie cold4 7,speaks47 ,nay1 nay1 but ,i can sing no more thereof2 ,i had forgot the sadness of the end6 ,,mary4 ,thou hast but prophesied how men shall scoff ,even at ,love1 my friend4 ,knocking is heard4 ,,joseph4 ,ho1 there without6 ,who knocks8 ,come ye in peace8 ,,kings 7without74 ,kings1 seeking it1 we come6 ,,joseph4 ,here enter1 and find ease6 ,,the ,,kings enter4 #a,,st ,,king4 ,blessed be ,god6 ,,omnes4 ,blessed be ,god6 #b,,nd ,,king4 ,blessed be ,his ,holy ,name6 ,,omnes4 ,blessed be ,his ,holy ,name6 #c,,rd ,,king4 ,blessed be ,jesus ,christ1 true ,god and true ,man6 ,,omnes4 ,blessed be ,jesus ,christ1 true ,god and true ,man6 #a,,st ,,king4 ,oh1 finished quest6 ,oh1 rest6 #b,,nd ,,king4 ,oh1 ,fount1 that first ,of all hath satisfied my thirst6 #c,,rd ,,king4 ,oh1 ,light1 ,that brings me sight6 #a,,st ,,king4 ,thou ,birth ,divine1 ,behold1 ,the earthly sign ,of power and kingship1 gold1 ,here in my hands ,i hold1 ,and offer1 to be ,thine4 #b,,nd ,,king4 ,this frankincense ,let be ,a symbol1 whence ,all men may learn to see ,how veiled a mystery ,defeats man's sense where ,godhead deigns to be4 #c,,rd ,,king4 ,oh1 ,comforter of souls1 ,i bring ,thee myrrh4 ,when grief my heart controls ,and darkness round me rolls1 ,sweet ,saviour1 be ,thou near6 ,,the ,,three ,,kings4 ,thanksgiving1 ,praise1 and ,prayer1 ,three offerings meet1 ,we lay in equal share ,before ,christ's feet4 ,,mary4 ,your welcome gifts1 ,proffered in love1 from ,earth to ,heaven ,he lifts4 ,,the ,,kings4 ,now see we ,love on ,earth ,his throne6 ,all we have known1 ,or hoped to gain1 ,was this alone-- ,that ,he might reign6 ,,omnes4 ,that ,he might reign6 ,oh1 welcome ,birth6 let all adore ,the ,christ made ,man for evermore4 ,,the ,,shepherds4 ',tis ,christmas morn3 ,come ye1 and bow the knee ,lo1 here we see ,the perfect ,man is born4 ,,chorus4 7in alternate parts1 ,,kings and ,,shepherds74 ,for this fair ,birth 7,which now we see67 ,shows forth ,god's worth1 7,then sing we merrily67 ,and makes glad earth1 ,and brings man mirth1 7,so sing we merrily this fair ,birth67 ,,the ,,kings4 ',tis ,christmas ,day3 ,oh pray1--put off your sins6 ,this day begins ,for man the perfect way4 ,,chorus 7as before74 ,for this fair ,birth1 etc4 ,during this song the ,attendants of the ,,kings have entered4 ,,omnes4 ,mother ,mary1 give us thy ,son's ,blessing6 7,they sing47 ,mary1 ,gate of ,day1 ,lend thine intercession6 ,holy ,mother ,mary1 ,pray for my transgression6 ,ere ,he yet touched ,earth1 ,he did first touch thee2 ,through thy perfect worth ,god reached down for me4 ,,mary4 ,the word expressed ,in ,flesh hath come2 ,against my breast ,the ,voice lies dumb1 ,that shall be of all prophecies the sum4 ,oh1 ,thou dread ,voice ,of ,heaven's decree1 ,who madest choice ,to dwell with me1 ,now through my lips1 this once1 let utterance be6 ,my ,peace ,i leave1 ,my ,peace ,i give3 ,all that receive ,the same shall live2 ,and tribute hearts win joy retributive4 ,the ,cup ,i bless1 ,the ,bread ,i break1 ,is ,righteousness6 ,draw near and take6 ,eat1 drink1 and hold remembrance for ,love's sake6 ,the peace of ,peace1 ,outpassing sense1 ,give your mind's ease ,when ye go hence4 ,love1 peace1 and pardon be your recompense6 ,,omnes4 ,hail1 ,mary1 full of grace1 the ,lord is with thee6 ,blessed art thou among women1 and blessed is the fruit of thy womb1 ,jesus4 ,holy ,mary1 ,mother of ,god1 pray for us sinners now1 and in the hour of our death4 ,amen4 ,,mary4 ,kings from far countries have ye come to see ,a ,king ,whose reign shall make all kingdoms free4 ,low at ,his feet your crowns ye cast to ground2 ,from this day forward ye shall go more crowned2 ,for1 named hereafter1 ye shall be named wise1 ,seeing that in ,heaven ye watched ,christ's star arise4 ,great kings ye came1 but much more great ye go1 ,who to ,his state have bowed yourselves so low4 ,and you1 dear ,shepherds1 to your settled folds ,return1 and father your sweet flocks to rest6 ,though ,heavenly signs depart1 ,heaven's purpose holds1 ,where ,earth's ,redemption slumbers at my breast4 ,look where ,he lies6 ,kiss ye ,his feet1 and go6 ,your ,shepherd ,he3 ,whose sheep are ye1 ,i know4 ,when mothers teach to babes their mother-tongue1 ,this tale shall first be told3 ,how to ,his birth ye came in days of old1 ,while starlight led and seraph-voices sung4 ,so1 in that story1 shall your names stay young4 ,farewell2 give thanks for this6 ,ye to ,christ's fold ,are come4 ,take all the bliss that hearts on earth may hold6 ,exeunt ,,kings1 ,,shepherds1 and ,,attendants4 ,,shepherds ,,and ,,kings 7without74 ,i heard on ,christmas night ,the loud bells ringing3 #8,new ,life and ,light ,christ comes bringing6' ,chorus4 ,oh1 that is true1 is true1 ,and better could not be6 ,so ,god bless you6 ,and ,god bless me6 ,i heard on ,christmas night ,the glad news pealing3 #8,christ to human sight ,now gives healing6' ,oh1 that is true1 is true1 ,and better could not be6 ,so ,god bless you6 ,and ,god bless me6 ,i heard on ,christmas night ,the high ,heavens telling3 #8,christ who left ,his height1 ,on earth finds dwelling6' ,oh1 that is true1 is true1 ,and better could not be6 ,so ,god bless you6 ,and ,god bless me6 ,from ,mary1 ,queen of ,might1 ,comes down sweet saying3 #8,i hear1 on ,christmas night1 ,all poor hearts praying6' ,oh1 that is true1 is true1 ,and better could not be6 ,so ,god bless you6 ,and ,god bless me6 ,enter ,,gabriel4 ,,gabriel4 ,servant of ,god1 sleep not1 awake6 ,saddle the ass ere dawn of day2 ,the ,mother1 and the young ,child take1 ,whom ,herod seeketh now to slay2 ,get thee hence ere the wakening bird ,hath sung2 to ,egypt win thy way3 ,there1 till ,i come and bring thee word1 ,shalt thou in hiding stay4 ,as thou hast heard1 make haste1 obey6 ,exit4 ,,joseph4 ,mary1 arise2 hence must we go1 ,even before the dawn of day4 ,,mary4 ,it is ,god's will8 ,,joseph4 ',tis even so3 ,his angel's word4 ,,mary4 ,which we obey4 ,exeunt4 ,,voices ,,of ,,carol-,,singers 7without74 ,god rest you1 merry gentlemen1 ,let nothing you dismay6 ,because that ,jesus ,christ our ,lord ,is born on ,christmas ,day6 ,,curtain4 ,enter ,,chorus4 ,chorus4 ,oh ,maid and ,holy ,child1 where have ye gone8 ,lost are the voices1 sets the ,star that shone3 ,back to their folds have gone the shepherd-band3 ,each king is now returned to his own land4 ,love is gone forth into the world to win ,saints to their rest1 and sinners back from sin4 ,gentles1 ,o ye that here have watched our play1 ,tell me1 ,i pray you1 did ,he pass your way8 ,say have ye ,him safe1 each one1 in his breast8 ,oh1 hold ,him well6 ,so shall we all have rest4 ,the grace of ,jesus ,christ1 who is our ,lord1 ,the ,love of ,god1 the ,holy ,ghost's accord1 ,be with us all6 ,and ,heaven be our reward6 ,amen4 ,printed by ,r4 ,r4 ,,clark1 ,,limited1 ,edinburgh4 ,,transcriber',s ,,notes3 ,italicized text is surrounded by underscores3 italics4 ,obvious typographical errors have been corrected4