Carol
of King Canute
The Lord Bishop of Truro
O merry rang the hymn,
Across the fenlands dim
O joy the day!
When Cnüt the King sailed by,
O row, my men, more nigh,
And hear that holy cry,
Sing Gloria!
From Ely Minster then,
Rang out across the Fen,
O gloria!
The good monk's merry song,
And rolled its aisles among,
And echoed loud and long:
Sing joy the day!
It was the Christnas morn,
Whereon the child was born,
O joy the day!
On lily banks among,
Where fragrant flowers do throng,
For maiden posies sprung?
Ah nay! Ah nay!
It was the Winter cold,
Whereon the tale was told,
O joy the day!
What hap did then befall,
To men and women all,
From that poor cattle stall,
O gloria!
The Shepherds in a row,
Knelt by the cradle low,
O joy the day!
And told the Angel song,
They heard their sheep among
When all the heavenly throng
Sang gloria!
Glory to God on high,
Who bringeth men anigh,
O gloria!
And War's black death did ban,
And Peace on earth began,
And Christ the Word made man!
Sing joy the day!
Sing joy, my masters, sing,
And let the welkin ring,
O gloria!
And Nowell, Nowell! cry
The Child is King most high,
O Sovran victory!
Sing joy the day!
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