Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JOLLY WAT by ANONYMOUS

First Line: THE SHEPHERD UPON A HILL HE SAT
Last Line: FOR IN HIS PIPE HE MADE SO MUCH JOY
@3Can I not sing ut hoy
When the jolly shepherd made so much joy.@1

The shepherd upon a hill he sat,
He had on him his tabard and his hat,
His tarbox, his pipe and his flagat.
His name was called Jolly, Jolly Wat;
For he was a good herdes boy.
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.

The shepherd upon a hill was laid,
His dog to his girdle was tied,
He had not slept but a little broyd,
But @3Gloria in excelsis@1 was to him said.
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.

The shepherd on a hill he stood,
Round about him his sheep they yode
He put his hand under his hood,
He saw a star as red as blood.
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.

'Now farewell, Mall, and also Will,
For my love, go ye all still
Unto I come again you till;
And evermore, Will, ring well thy bell.'
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.

'Now must I go where Christ was born;
Farewell! I come again to-morn.
Dog, keep well my sheep from the corn,
And warn well, warroke, when I blow my horn.'
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.

The shepherd said anon right:
'I will go see yon marvellous sight
Whereas the angel singeth on height,
And the star that shineth so bright.'
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.

When Wat to Bethlehem come was,
He sweat; he had gone faster than a pace;
He found Jesu in a simple place,
Between an ox and an ass.
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.

'Jesu, I offer to thee my pipe,
My skirt, my tarbox and my scrip.
Home to my fellows now will I skip,
And also look unto my sheep.'
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.

'Now farewell, mine own herdsman Wat!' --
'Yea, 'fore God, Lady, my name is that!
Lull well Jesu in thy lap;
And farewell, Joseph, in thy round cap!'
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.

'Now may I well both hop and sing
For I have been at Christ's bearing.
Home to my fellows now will I fling,
Christ of heaven to His bliss us bring!'
@3Ut hoy!@1
For in his pipe he made so much joy.



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