Irish Carol

Irish Carol
Composer(s): Bishop Luke Wadding



Christmas Day has come
Let's prepare for mirth
Which fills the heavens and earth at the amazing birth
Through both the joyous angels in strife and hurry fly
With glory and hosannas
`All Holy' do they cry
In heaven the Church triumphant adores with all her choirs
The militant on earth with humble faith admires

But why should we rejoice?
Should we not rather morn
To see the Hope of Nations thus in a stable born?
Where are His crown and scepter
Where is His throne sublime
Where is his train majestic that should the stars outshine?
Is there no sumptuous palace, nor any inn at all
To lodge his heavenly mother but in a filthy stall?

Oh! Cease, ye blessed angels, such clamorous joys to make!
Though midnight silence favors, the shepherds are awake
And you, O glorious star!
That with new splendor brings
From the remotest parts three learned eastern kings
Turn somewhere else your luster
Your rays elsewhere display
For Herod he may slay the babe and Christ must straight away

If we would then rejoice, let's cancel the old score
And purposing amendment, resolve to sin no more
For mirth can ne'er content us, without a conscience clear
And thus we'll find true pleasure in all the usual cheer
In dancing, sporting, reveling, with masquerade and drum
So let our Christmas merry be, as Christmas doth become