The Wexford Carol

Good people all, this Christmas-time,

Consider well and bear in mind

What our good God for us has done,

In sending His beloved Son.

With Mary holy we should pray

To God with love this Christmas Day:

In Bethlehem upon that morn

There was a blessed Messiah born.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep

Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;

To whom God's angels did appear,

Which put the shepherds in great fear.

"Prepare and go," the angels said,

"To Bethlehem, be not afraid;

For there you'll find, this happy morn,

A princely Babe, sweet Jesus born."

With thankful heart and joyful mind,

The shepherds went the Babe to find,

And as God's angel had foretold,

They did our Savior Christ behold.

Within a manger He was laid,

And by his side the Virgin Maid,

Attending on the Lord of Life,

Who came on earth to end all strife.