December 4: Remember O Thou Man | The Sixteen & Nathan Clark George

Remember O Thou Man is a time-tested Christmas carol written by Thomas Ravenscroft (c.1582-1635). He had an interesting career and contributed much to British folk music. This carol is eerie, somber and poignant (terms NOT associated with modern Christmas carols). In fact, one website called this song a “suffering ballad.” Despite the “scroogy” minor melody, the lyrics are rich with doctrine about Christ. I feel like the first verse is Christ speaking to an unknown man (maybe to each of us). Christ did everything for us…all that’s left is for us to repent.

The rest of the verses seem to be given by a narrator reminding the man of:

• God’s promise to send His Son to redress our sins and to not be afraid
• Angels praising our Heavenly King would bring peace and good will
• Shepherds would go to Bethlehem to see if Christ was born to set man free
• Christ’s birth was for man’s sake
• Joyfully give thanks to God “alway”[s]

Who do you think the unknown man is? Maybe Scrooge? ;)

I had a hard time deciding which version of this recording I liked best...so I'm going to post both of them. Each rendition has additional or omitted verses. I like things in both. I really like the strings in the second one.  I like the lyrics in the first one that say "were so or no" and "were born or no."

Remember O Thou Man (by The Sixteen)

Remember O thou man,

O thou man, O thou man,

Remember O thou man

Thy time is spent,

Remember O thou man,

How thou art dead and gone,

And I did what I can,

Therefore repent.

Remember God's goodness,

O thou man, O thou man,

Remember God's goodness,

And his promise made.

Remember God's goodness

How he sent his Son doubtless

Our sins for to redress,

Be not afraid.

The angels all did sing,

O thou man, O thou man,

The angels all did sing

upon the shepherds' hill,

The angels all did sing

Praises to our heav'nly king,

And peace to man living

With a good will.

To Bethlem did they go,

O thou man, O thou man,

To Bethlem did they go,

The shepherds three,

To Bethlem did they go,

To see where it were so or no,

Whether Christ were born or no

To set man free.

In Bethlem he was born,

O thou man, O thou man,

In Bethlem he was born,

For mankind sake,

In Bethlem he was born

For us that were forlorn,

And therefore took no scorn,

Our flesh to take.

Give thanks to God alway,

O thou man, O thou man,

Give thanks to God alway,

Most joyfully.

Give thanks to God alway,

For this our happy day,

Let all men sing and say,

Holy, holy.

This is for the text above

Remember O Thou Man (by Nathan Clark George)

Remember, O thou Man,

O thou Man, O thou Man;

Remember, O thou Man,

Thy time is spent.

Remember, O thou man,

How thou came’st to me then,

And I did what I can,

Therefore repent.

Remember God’s goodness,

O thou Man, O thou Man;

Remember God’s goodness

And promise made.

Remember God’s goodness,

How his only Son he sent

Our sins for to redress,

Be not afraid.

Remember O thou man,

O thou man, O thou man

Remember O thou man,

That God is great

Loving unchangeably.

Planned from eternity

By His word mightily

All to create.

Remember O thou man,

O thou man, O thou man

Remember O thou man,

That God above

Long before time began

Knew of the sin of man

And laid redemption’s plan

For He is love.

And with the angel’s sing

Praises of gladness bring

To Christ our heavenly King

Forevermore.