Christmas now is drawing near at hand
Christmas now is drawing near at hand
version from Mr J. Thomas, Camborne, Cornwall
Mr J. Thomas, Camborne, Cornwall; noted by Cecil Sharp, May 9th 1913. Journal of the Folk-Song Society Vol V, No. 18 (1914) p7
- Christmas morn is drawing nigh at hand.
Pray, saith the Lord, and be at His command;
And God for you a portion will provide,
And give a blessing to your soul beside. - Remember man thou art made of clay.
And in this world thou hast not long to stay;
You patch and paint and dress in idle stuff,
As if God had not made you well enough. - This wicked world will never give consent,
For all the blessings our dear Lord have sent;
To meet our Lord it would be bad, you know,
To be dressed up like players for a show
version from Mrs Prudence Handy, Ilmington, Warwickshire
Sung by Mrs Prudence Handy (aged 67), Ilmington, Warwickshire, September 24th 1910. Collected by Cecil Sharp.
- tune words and MIDI file - see http://www.btinternet.com/~radical/thefolkmag/wmcarols.htm