Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Whitsun Carol

Whitsun Carol

Whitsun Carol

 Now Whitsuntide is come you very well do know
 Come serve the Lord we must before we do go
 Come serve him truly with all your might and heart
 And then from heaven your soul shall never depart.

 How do you know how long we have to live
 For when we die oh then what would we give
 For being sure of having our resting place
 Since we have run our simple wretched race.

 Down in those gardens where flowers grow in ranks
 Down on your knees and to the Lord give thanks
 Pray unto the Lord that angels he may bring
 And then in heaven your soul shall sit and sing.
 (repeat the tune for the last two lines on the following two lines)
 Down on your knees and pray both night and day
 Pray unto the Lord that He will lead you the right way.

 Both young and old, both rich and poor, give ear
 Don't allow your children to lie, boast curse nor swear
 Do not allow them to keep ill company
 For that will surely bring them to shame and misery.

 Come all those children all in the streets we meet
 All in their pastimes so even and complete
 So its how you may hear them lie, boast, curse and swear
 Before they do know one word of any prayer.

 Now we may bring you the royal branch of oak
 God bless our King and Queen and all the royal folk
 God bless our King and Queen and all the world beside
 Then the Lord He will send us all a merry Whitsuntide.
 I got this from the singing of John Roberts and Tony Barrand.
NX
OCT99