| Wexford Carol | |
| Genre: | Christmas carol |
| Meter: | 8.8.8.8 (LMD) |
| Melody: | Traditional Irish folk melody, transcribed by William Grattan Flood |
The Wexford Carol or the Enniscorthy Carol (Irish: Carúl Loch Garman, Carúl Inis Córthaidh) is a traditional religious Irish Christmas carol originating from Enniscorthy in County Wexford.[1] The subject of the song is the nativity of Jesus Christ.
"The Wexford Carol", sometimes known by its first verse "Good people all this Christmas time", is of uncertain origins, and, while it is occasionally claimed to be from the early Middle Ages, it likely was composed in the 15th or 16th century based on its musical and lyrical style.[2] The song achieved a renewed popularity due to the work of William Grattan Flood (1859–1928), who was organist and musical director at St. Aidan's Cathedral in Enniscorthy. He transcribed the carol from a local singer and had it published in The Oxford Book of Carols, putting Enniscorthy into most carol books around the world.
Traditions abound concerning the song – for example, that only men should sing it. However, many popular female artists, such as Julie Andrews in 1966 and Loreena McKennitt in 1987, have recorded versions of it, the former including an additional verse beginning "And buckets yore did rain that night."
Good people all, this Christmas time,Consider well and bear in mindWhat our good God for us has doneIn sending His beloved SonWith Mary holy we should pray,To God with love this Christmas DayIn Bethlehem upon that morn,There was a blessed Messiah born. The night before that happy tide,The noble virgin and her guideWere long time seeking up and downTo find a lodging in the town.But mark how all things came to passFrom every door repelled, alas,As was foretold, their refuge allWas but a humble ox's stall.
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keepTheir flocks of lambs and feeding sheepTo whom God's angels did appearWhich put the shepherds in great fearPrepare and go, the angels saidTo Bethlehem, be not afraidFor there you'll find, this happy mornA princely Babe, sweet Jesus, born.
With thankful heart and joyful mindThe shepherds went the babe to findAnd as God's angel had foretoldThey did our Saviour Christ beholdWithin a manger He was laidAnd by his side the virgin maidAttending on the Lord of LifeWho came on earth to end all strife.
There were three wise men from afarDirected by a glorious starAnd on they wandered night and dayUntil they came where Jesus layAnd when they came unto that placeWhere our beloved Messiah layThey humbly cast them at His feetWith gifts of gold and incense sweet.[3]
Ó, tagaig' uile is adhraigí
An leanbh cneasta sa chró 'na luí
Is cuimhnígí ar ghrá an Rí
A thug dár saoradh anocht an Naí.
'S a Mhuire Mháthair i bParrthas Dé,
Ar chlann bhocht Éabha guigh 'nois go caomh,
Is doras an chró ná dún go deo
Go n-adhram' feasta Mac Mhuire Ógh.
I mBeithil thoir i lár na hoích'
Ba chlos an deascéala d'aoirí,
Go follas don saol ón spéir go binn
Bhí aingle 'canadh ó rinn go rinn.
"Gluaisig' go beo," dúirt Aingeal Dé,
"Go Beithil sall is gheobhaidh sibh É
'Na luí go séimh i mainséar féir,
Siúd É an Meisias a ghráigh an saol."[4]