Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CAROL by ANONYMOUS

First Line: WHAT SHALL I SING BUT HOY! / WHEN THE JOLLY SHEPHERD MADE SO MUCH JOY?
Last Line: "IN HIS PIPE HE MADE SO MUCH JOY, / WHAT SHALL I SING BUT HOY?"
@3What shall I sing but Hoy!
When the jolly shepherd made so much joy?@1

The shepherd upon a hill he sat,
He ware his tabard and his hat,
He had tarbox, pipe, and flageolet,
And his name was Jolly, Jolly, Wat,
For he was a good herd-boy --
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe he made so much joy,
What shall I sing but Hoy?@1

The shepherd down on the hill was laid,
His dog was fast to his girdle made --
In a little while he was sore dismayed,
"@3Gloria in Excelsis!@1" to him was said --
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe --
What shall I sing@1 --

The shepherd high on the hillside stood,
The sheep, they flocked round the shepherd good,
With his hand he raised from his brow the hood,
He saw a star as red as blood --
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe --
What shall I sing@1 --

"Now Farewell Mall, and Will, Farewell,
Now keep ye still, and guard ye well,
Until I come my news to tell,
And Will, ring evermore thy bell --"
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe --
What shall I sing@1 --

"Now must I go where Christ is born,
Farewell, I come again with morn,
Dog, keep the sheep from out the corn,
And gird ye well when I blow my horn --"
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe --
What shall I sing@1 --

To Bethlehem now Wat hath sped,
His sweat ran down, so fast he fled,
Jesus doth lowly hide His Head,
'T wixt ox and ass he makes His bed --
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe --
What shall I sing@1 --

The shepherd said: "I go forthright
To see that strange and wondrous sight,
Where angels sing from Heaven's height,
And yonder star doth shine so bright."
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe --
What shall I sing@1 --

"Jesu, my pipe I give to Thee,
Robe, tarbox, scrip, I offer free, --
Home to my fellows now I flee,
The sheep, methinks, have need of me."
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe --
What shall I sing@1 --

"Now Farewell Wat, my herdsman true --"
"What, lady, so my name ye knew?
Lull ye my Lord to sleep anew,
And Joseph, now Good-day to you --"
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe --
What shall I sing@1 --

"Now dance and sing full well I may,
For at Christ's Birth was I to-day,
Home to my mates I'll take my way,
Christ bring us all to bliss I pray."
@3ut Hoy!
In his pipe he made so much joy,
What shall I sing but Hoy?@1



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