A Carol
Our Lord Who did the Ox commandTo kneel to Judah’s King,He binds His frost upon the landTo ripen it for Spring—To ripen it for Spring, good sirs,According to His word;Which well must be as ye can see—And who shall judge the Lord?
When we poor fenmen skate the iceOr shiver on the wold,We hear the cry of a single treeThat breaks her heart in the cold—That breaks her heart in the cold, good sirs,And rendeth by the board;Which well must be as ye can see—And who shall judge the Lord?
Her wood is crazed and little worthExcepting as to burnThat we may warm and make our mirthUntil the Spring return—Until the Spring return, good sirs,When people walk abroad;Which well must be as ye can see—And who shall judge the Lord?
God bless the master of this house,And all that sleep therein!And guard the fens from pirate folk,And keep us all from sin,To walk in honesty, good sirs,Of thought and deed and word!Which shall befriend our latter end—And who shall judge the Lord?