[Illustration] [Music: BEDFORDSHIRE MAY DAY CAROL.] 1. I’ve been rambling all the night, And the best part of the day, And now I am returning back again, And have brought you a branch of may. 2. A branch of may, my dear, I say, Before your door I stand; It’s nothing but a sprout, but it’s well budded out By the work of our Lord’s hand. 3. Go down in your dairy, and fetch me a cup, A cup of your good cheer, And, if I should live to tarry in the town, I will call on you next year. 4. The hedges and the fields they are so green, As green as any leaf, Our Heavenly Father waters them With His Heavenly dew so sweet. 5. When I am dead and in my grave, And covered with cold clay, The nightingale will sit and sing And pass the time away. 6. Take a Bible in your hand And read a chapter through And when the day of Judgment comes, The Lord will think of you. 7. I have a bag on my right arm Draws up with a silken string, Nothing does it want but a silver piece To line it well within. 8. And now my song is almost done, I can no longer stay, God bless you all, both great and small, I wish you a joyful May. [Illustration] Good Christian Men, rejoice [Illustration] [Music] 1. Good Christian men, rejoice With heart, and soul, and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born to-day! Ox and ass before Him bow, And He is in the manger now. Christ is born to-day! Christ is born to-day! 2. Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath ope’d the heavenly door, And man is blessèd evermore. Christ is born for this! Christ is born for this! 3. Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all, To gain His everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save! [Illustration]