December 11: Wexford Carol | The Cambridge Singers

Starting today my next three postings will all be carols. The first of which is Wexford Carol.

Wexford Carol is an Irish Christmas carol that comes from the county of Wexford in Ireland. Traditionally, this song was only sung by a male. Until along came a famous singer named Julie Andrews who broke the gender barrier and recorded it in 1966. Now hundreds of artists have recorded this song and it’s popularity has reemerged.

Some things I like about the lyrics and this arrangement:

• This carol does a fantastic job at painting the Nativity story! You have Mary, her “guide” (Joseph), Bethlehem, sweet Jesus, ox, shepherds, lambs, sheep, angels and a manger!
• There are several versions of the lyrics and the most popular include the line “Prepare and go” instead of “Arise and go.”
• Notice the syncopation at the line “And by his side a virgin maid”…love that!
• I really like how the author calls the baby Jesus, “The Lord of Life.” There are many scriptures that illustrate how Christ is the giver of all life on earth. See here, here, here and here.

How can one "Prepare and Go" unto Christ?

Wexford Carol

Good people all, this Christmas time,

Consider well and bear in mind

What our good God for us has done

In sending his beloved son

With Mary holy we should pray,

To God with love this Christmas Day

In Bethlehem upon that morn,

There was a blessed Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide

The noble Virgin and her guide

Were long time seeking up and down

To find a lodging in the town

But mark how all things came to pass;

From every door repelled, alas

As was foretold, their refuge all

Was but a humble ox's stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep

Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep

To whom God's angels did appear

Which put the shepherds in great fear

Prepare and go, the angels said

To Bethlehem, be not afraid

For there you'll find, this happy morn

A princely babe, sweet Jesus, born.

With thankful heart and joyful mind

The shepherds went the babe to find

And as God's angel had foretold

They did our Savior Christ behold

Within a manger he was laid

And by his side a virgin maid

Attending on the Lord of Life

Who came on earth to end all strife.

In case you want to hear the historic recording of Julie Andrews…click here.  In case you didn't see the extended cut of The Sound of Music, the Von Trapp family couldn't make it to Switzerland so they spent Christmas on the mountain...hence this song! ;)

Speaking of Julie Andrews...every Christmas I watch this video at least a dozen times! So funny!