The shepherd upon a hill was laid, His dog to his girdle was tayd, He had not slept but a little braid, But _gloria in excelsis_ was to him said; Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! _Can I not sing, &c._ The shepherd on a hill he stood, Round about him his sheep they yode, He put his hand under his hood, He saw a star as red as blood. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! _Can I not sing, &c._ Now farewell Mall, and also Will, For my love go ye all still, Unto I come again you till, And ever more Will ring well thy bell. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! _Can I not sing, &c._ Now must I go there Christ was born, Farewell, I come again to-morn; Dog, keep well my sheep fro the corn, And warn well Warroke when I blow my horn! Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! _Can I not sing, &c._ When Wat to Bethlehem come was, He sweat, he had gone faster than a pace. He found Jesus in a simple place, Between an ox and an ass. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! _Can I not sing, &c._ The shepherd said anon right: ‘I will go see yon ferly[23] sight, Where as the angel singeth on-height, And the star that shineth so bright!’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! _Can I not sing, &c._ ‘Jesus, I offer to thee here my pipe, My skirt, my tar-box, and my scrip, Home to my fellows now will I skip, And also look unto my sheep!’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! _Can I not sing, &c._ ‘Now farewell, mine own herds-man Wat!’ ‘Yea,’fore God, Lady, even so I hat![24] Lull well Jesus in thy lap. And farewell, Joseph, with thy round cap!’ Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! _Can I not sing, &c._ ‘Now may I well both hop and sing, For I have been at Christ’s bearing; Home to my fellows now will I fling; Christ of heaven to His bliss us bring! Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy! _Can I not sing, &c._ [23] Wondrous. [24] Am called. 10. WHEN CHRIST WAS BORN OF MARY FREE When Christ was born of Mary free In Bethlem, in that fair citee, Angels sang there with mirth and glee, _In excelsis gloria._ Herdmen beheld these angels bright, To them appearèd with great light, And said, ‘God’s son is born this night.’ _In excelsis gloria._ The King is comen to save kind, As in scripturës we find, Therefore this song have we in mind, _In excelsis gloria._