Song :
A
F Eb F C F
A virgin most pure, as the Prophets do tell,
F Eb F C F
Hath brought forth a baby, as it hath befell,
C C7 F Bb C
To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,
F Eb F C F
Which Adam's transgression had wrapped us in.
Refrain :
F C F
Aye, and therefore be you merry,
C F Dm C
Rejoice and be merry,
F G C
Set sorrow aside;
F Eb F C F
Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.
F Eb F C F
At Bethlehem city in Jewry a City there was
F Eb F C F
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
C C7 F Bb C
And there to be taxed, with many one more,
F Eb F C F
For Cæsar commanded the same should be so.
Refrain :
F C F
Aye, and therefore be you merry,
C F Dm C
Rejoice and be merry,
F G C
Set sorrow aside;
F Eb F C F
Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.
F Eb F C F
But, when they had entered the city so fair
F Eb F C F
A number of people so mighty was there,
C C7 F Bb C
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
F Eb F C F
Could get in the Inn there no lodging at all.
Refrain :
F C F
Aye, and therefore be you merry,
C F Dm C
Rejoice and be merry,
F G C
Set sorrow aside;
F Eb F C F
Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.
F Eb F C F
Then were they constrained in a stable to lye,
F Eb F C F
Where horses and asses they us'd for to tie;
C C7 F Bb C
Their lodging so simple they held it no scorn,
F Eb F C F
But against the next morning our Saviour was born.
Refrain :
F C F
Aye, and therefore be you merry,
C F Dm C
Rejoice and be merry,
F G C
Set sorrow aside;
F Eb F C F
Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.
F Eb F C F
The King of all kings to this world being brought,
F Eb F C F
Small store of fine linen to wrap him was sought,
C C7 F Bb C
And when she had swaddled her young son so sweet,
F Eb F C F
Within an ox manger she laid him to sleep.
Refrain :
F C F
Aye, and therefore be you merry,
C F Dm C
Rejoice and be merry,
F G C
Set sorrow aside;
F Eb F C F
Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.
F Eb F C F
Then God sent an Angel from Heaven so high,
F Eb F C F
To certain poor Shepherds in fields where they lye,
C C7 F Bb C
And bade them no longer in sorrow to stay,
F Eb F C F
Because that our Saviour was born on this day.
Refrain :
F C F
Aye, and therefore be you merry,
C F Dm C
Rejoice and be merry,
F G C
Set sorrow aside;
F Eb F C F
Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.
F Eb F C F
Then presently after the Shepherds did spy
F Eb F C F
A number of Angels that stood in the sky;
C C7 F Bb C
Who joyfully talked and sweetly did sing,
F Eb F C F
To God be all glory our Heavenly King.
Refrain :
F C F
Aye, and therefore be you merry,
C F Dm C
Rejoice and be merry,
F G C
Set sorrow aside;
F Eb F C F
Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.
F Eb F C F
Three certain Wise Princes, they thought it most meet
F Eb F C F
To lay their rich offerings at our Saviour's feet;
C C7 F Bb C
Then the Shepherds consented, and to Bethlehem did go,
F Eb F C F
And when they came thither, they found it was so.
Refrain :
F C F
Aye, and therefore be you merry,
C F Dm C
Rejoice and be merry,
F G C
Set sorrow aside;
F Eb F C F
Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.
