Wexford Carol

Christmas Carols Explained, #14

You might not have heard of this one unless you’re deep into the practicing side of Christianity, but the Wexford Carol goes all the way back to 12th Century Ireland, maybe even farther. Since it’s medieval, the composer is unknown, just that it is very traditionally Irish, and a unique contribution to the corpus of Christmas carols from that country.

This is a very solemn song, one with a highly reflective tone. Like the Charlie Brown Christmas special, the point is to focus on the meaning of Christmas, and what it means that God sent His Son to us. The commercial popularization of Christmas does have its own beauty and magic to it, don’t get me wrong, but the moment the real meaning of the holiday is obscured, we’ve lost the plot.

I’m copying the lyrics over, since the choir sings it somewhat softly.

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 Saviour Christ behold

Within a manger he was laid
And by his side the virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of Life
Who came on earth to end all strife.

There were three wise men from afar
Directed by a glorious star
And on they wandered night and day
Until they came where Jesus lay

And when they came unto that place
Where our beloved Messiah lay
They humbly cast them at his feet
With gifts of gold and incense sweet.

I personally love this TabCats arrangement and its accompanying video. It’s a little bit schmalzy, as many Tab Choir videos can be, but the point is clear and direct: while pop songs talk about getting presents and falling in love, Christmas is really a time of forgiveness. We get that forgiveness from God through having a Savior and keeping His commandments. That’s the ultimate gift. Without it, nothing else matters.