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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JOLLY WAT, by                    
First Line: The shepherd upon a hill he sat
Last Line: For in his pipe he made so much joy
Variant Title(s): The Jolly Shepherd;the Shepherd Upon A Hill


Can I not sing ut hoy
When the jolly shepherd made so much joy.

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.
Ut hoy!
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 Gloria in excelsis was to him said.
Ut hoy!
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.
Ut hoy!
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.'
Ut hoy!
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.'
Ut hoy!
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.'
Ut hoy!
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.
Ut hoy!
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.'
Ut hoy!
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!'
Ut hoy!
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!'
Ut hoy!
For in his pipe he made so much joy.





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