Once, As I Remember Lyrics

1. Once, as I remember,
At the time of Yule,
After mid December,
When it bloweth cool,
I o'erheard a Mother
Was a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu,
La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.'

2. Near as man was able,
On my knee fell I,
In the Bethlem stable
Where the Babe did lie,
And the Virgin-mother
Was a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu,
La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.'

3. Herdmen from the prairie
Came and piped for glee
For the Babe and Mary:
King of Glory he.
Then the Virgin Mother
Fell a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu,
La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.'

4. Ox and ass around him,
Courtier-like, did stand:
Fair white linen bound him,
Spun by Mary's hand.
While the Virgin-mother
Was a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu,
La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.'

5. To this Lord, contented
To endure the cold,
Easterlings presented
Incense, myrrh and gold:
Then the Virgin-mother
Fell a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu,
La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.'

6. Ever among and o'er us
Angel-quire gan sing
Antiphons in [Chorus]
To the new-born King.
Then the Virgin-mother
Fell a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu,
La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.'