‘Singlish Folk’ Broadsheet AWAY IN A MANGER No. 12 Christmas 1. Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, Index: The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; Page 1. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, Away In A Manger The little Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay. Cherry Tree Carol Mary Had A Baby 2. The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes . The Holly Bears A Berry But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I saw Three Ships I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky. Page 2. And stay by the cradle till morning is nigh. Good King Wenceslas O Little Town of Bethlehem 3. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, There Are No Lights On Our Christmas Tree Close by me for ever and love me, I pray! Page3 Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care Mary’s Boy Child And take us to heaven, to Live with Thee there. When a Child is born MARY HAD A BABY CHERRY TREE CAROL Mary had a baby, yes Lord 1. Mary and Joseph were walking one day Mary had a baby, yes my Lord In a garden of cherries they happened for to stray (2x) Mary had a baby, yes Lord People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone 2. Mary spoke to Joseph so meek and so mild ‘Go gather me some cherries for I am with child’ (2x) What did she name Him, yes Lord (3x) People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone 3. Joseph flew in anger, in anger flew he She named Him Jesus, yes Lord (3x) ‘Let the father of the baby gather cherries for thee’ (2x) People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone 3. Then up spoke baby Jesus from in Mary’s womb Where was He born, yes Lord (3x) ‘Bow down the lowest branch so my mother might have People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone some’ (2x) Born in a stable, yes Lord (3x) 4. The bowed down the lowest branch, bowed low to the People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone Ground Said she ‘Oh look thou Joseph I have cherries by And where did she lay Him, yes Lord (3x) Command (2x) People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone 5. Then Joseph took Mary upon his right knee She laid Him in a manger, yes Lord (3x) Said ‘Tell me pretty baby when your birthday will be’ (2x) People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone 6. On the sixth day of January my birthday will be I SAW THREE SHIPS When the elements will tremble and the stars will dance with glee (2x) 1. I saw three ships come sailing in, On Christmas day (2x) THE HOLLY BEARS A BERRY (SANS DAY CAROL) I saw three ships come sailing in, On Christmas day in the morning. Now the Holly bears a berry as white as the milk And Mary bore Jesus, who was wrapped up in silk. 2. And what was in those ships all three? cho: And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour to be 3. Our Saviour, Christ, and His Lady, And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly. Holly, holly, 4. Pray, whither sailed those ships all three? And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly. 5. O, they sailed to Bethlehem, Now the Holly bears a berry as green as the grass And Mary bore Jesus, who died on the cross. 6. And all the bells on earth shall ring, Now the Holly bears a berry as black as the coal 7. And all the angels in heaven shall sing, And Mary bore Jesus, who died for us all. 8. And all the souls on earth shall sing, Now the Holly bears a berry as blood is it red Then trust we our Saviour who rose from the dead 9. Then let us all rejoice and sing, Page 1 GOOD KING WENCESLAS O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM 1. O little town of Bethlehem, 1. Good King Wenceslas looked out, how still we see thee lie! On the feast of Stephen, Above thy deep and dreamless sleep When the snow lay round about, the silent stars go by. Deep and crisp and even: Yet in thy dark streets shineth Brightly shone the moon that night, the everlasting Light; Though the frost was cruel, The hopes and fears of all the years When a poor man came in sight, are met in thee tonight. Gathering winter fuel. 2. For Christ is born of Mary, 2. "Hither page and stand by me, and gathered all above, If thou know'st it, telling, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Yonder peasant, who is he, their watch of wondering love. Where and what his dwelling?" O morning stars together, "Sire, he lives a good league hence, proclaim the holy birth, Underneath the mountain, And praises sing to God the King, Right against the forest fence, and peace to men on earth! By Saint Agnes' fountain. 3. "Bring me flesh and bring me wine, 3. How silently, how silently, Bring me pine logs hither: the wondrous Gift is given; Thou and I will see him dine, So God imparts to human hearts When we bear them thither." the blessings of His heaven. Page and monarch forth they went, No ear may hear His coming, Forth they went together; but in this world of sin, Though the rude winds wild lament, Where meek souls will receive Him still, And the bitter weather. the dear Christ enters in. 4. "Sire, the night is darker now, And the wind blows stronger; 4. Where children pure and happy Fails my heart, I know now how, pray to the blessed Child, I can go no longer." Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild; "Mark my footsteps, my good page; Tread thou in them boldly; Where charity stands watching Thou shalt find the winter's rage and faith holds wide the door, Freeze thy blood less coldly." The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more. 5. In his master's steps he trod, Where the snow lay dinted; 5. O holy Child of Bethlehem, Heat was in the very sod descend to us, we pray; Which the saint had printed. Cast out our sin, and enter in, Therefore, Christian men, be sure, be born in us today. Wealth or rank possessing, We hear the Christmas angels, Ye who now will bless the poor, the great glad tidings tell; Shall yourselves find blessing. O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! THERE ARE NO LIGHTS ON OUR CHRISTMAS TREE (Cyril Tawney) The Christmas crackers from uncle Alf They lie unopened upon the shelf The time has come for festivity Dad has forbid them but we're hoping he For Christmas pudding and revelry Won't notice one more bang in Laramy. But as I passed out the other night I heard a small voice next to me: Some carol singers came to our door - I've never seen dad so mad before. chorus: There are no lights on our Christmas tree He grabbed the leader by the coat We must not spoil the televee And tried to ram his lantern down his throat. No party games, no mistletoe Just whistle "Wenceslas", and out you go. When I grow up and become a man There'll be no television in my plan 'Bout once a year I become a square With laughter gay my house will ring I love to feel the tinsel in my hair I never want to hear my children sing: [chorus] I love to hear the songs of days gone by But dad and me we don't see eye-to-eye. Copyright Cyril Tawney Page 2 MARY'S BOY CHILD WHEN A CHILD IS BORN Harry Belafonte A ray of hope flickers in the sky 1. Long time ago in Bethlehem A tiny star lights up way up high So the Holy Bible say All across the land dawns a brand new morn Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ This comes to pass when a child is born Was born on Christmas day A silent wish sails the seven seas Chorus: The winds of change whisper in the trees Hark, now hear the angels singing And the wall of doubt crumbles dust and torn A newborn King today This comes to pass when the child is born And man will live forevermore Because of Christmas day The rosy view settles all around Trumpets sound and angels singing You got the feel you're on solid ground Listen to what they say For a spell or two no one seems forlorn That Man will live forevermore This comes to pass when a child is born Because of Christmas day And all this happens because the world is waiting 2. While shepherds watch their flock by night Waiting for one child Black, white, yellow, no one knows Then see a bright new shining star This child who will grow up and turn tears to laughter Then hear a choir sing Hate to love, War to peace and everyone to everyone's Her music seemed to come from afar neighbour and misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten forever 3. Now, Joseph and his wife, Mary Come to bethlehem that night It's all a dream an illusion now Then find no place to born she child It must come true sometime soon somehow Not a single room was in sight And all across the land dawns a brand new morn This comes to pass when a child is born 4.