A virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell,
Hath brought forth a baby, as it hath befell,
To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin,
Which Adam’s transgression hath wrapped us in:
Aye and therefore be merry, rejoice and be you merry,
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.

In Bethlehem Jewry a city there was,
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
And there to be taxed with many one more,
For Caesar commanded the same should be so:
Aye and therefore be merry, rejoice and be you merry,
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.
But when they had entered the city so fair,

A number of people so mighty was there,
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
Could find in the inn there no lodging at all:
Aye and therefore be merry, rejoice and be you merry,
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.

Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,
Where horses and asses they used for to tie;
Their lodging so simple they took it no scorn:
But against the next morning our Saviour was born:
Aye and therefore be merry, rejoice and be you merry,
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.