Image: Ditchling carol original
Description: The poem "Christmas Carol", by William Robert Spencer, as it appeared in an 1835 poetry collection. These words would later be set to music as the Christmas song "Ditchling Carol". Transcription: CHRISTMAS CAROL BE merry all, be merry all, With holly dress the festive hall, Prepare the song, the feast, the ball, To welcome merry Christmas. And oh ! remember, gentles gay, For you who bask in fortune's ray, The year is all a holiday, The poor have only Christmas. When you with velvets mantled o'er, Defy December's tempests frore, Oh ! spare one garment from your store, To clothe the poor at Christmas. From blazing loads of fuel, while Your homes with in-door summer smile, Oh ! spare one faggot from your pile, To warm the poor at Christmas. When you the costly banquet deal To guests who never famine feel, Oh ! spare one morsel from your meal, To feed the poor at Christmas. When gen'rous wine your care controls, And gives new joy to happiest souls, Oh ! spare one goblet from your bowls, To cheer the poor at Christmas. So shall to Heav'n each mirthful air More sweet resound than praise or pray'r, Angels your jocund carols share, And bless the Rich at Christmas. Chorus. Be merry all, be merry all, With holly dress the festive hall, Prepare the song, the feast, the ball, To welcome merry Christmas.
Title: Ditchling carol original
Credit: Extracted from the internet archive scan (https://archive.org/details/poems00spengoog/) of Poems by William Robert Spencer (1835)
Author: William Robert Spencer
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No
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