Masters in this Hall

Masters in this hall, hear ye news today.
Brought from over sea, and ever I you pray.

Refrain
Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Nowell, sing we clear!
Holpen* are all folk on earth,
For born is God’s son so dear.
Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Nowell, sing we loud!
God today hath poor folk raised
And cast a-down the proud.

Going o’er the hills, through the milk-white snow
Heard the lambs to bleat and saw the wind to blow Refrain

Shepherds, many a one, sat among the sheep
No man spoke more word than they had been asleep Refrain

Shepherds should of right leap and dance and sing
Wherefore do you sit before this wondrous thing Refrain

Then to Bethle’m town, went we two by two
Saw the new-born babe laid in a manger low Refrain

Ox and ass there were down on bended knee
Wondrous joy had I this little babe to see Refrain

This is Christ the Lord, masters be ye glad
Christmas is come in, and no man should be sad Refrain

*past participle of “help”