The Ditchling Carol

be merry all, be merry all
with holly deck the festive hall
prepare the song, the feast, the call
to welcome merry christmas

and you in velvet all adorned
defying winter's tempest's scorn
o spare one garment from your store
to clothe the poor at christmas

and all remember, gentles gay
for you who bask in fortune's ray
the year is all a holiday
the poor have only christmas

you who the costly banquet deal
to friends who never famine feel
o spare one morsel from your meal
to feed the poor at christmas

and all remember ...

so shall each note of mirth appear
more sweet to heaven than praise or prayer
and angels in their carols there
shall bless the poor at christmas
bless the poor at christmas

Traditional English carol
This arrangement: Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer

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