Monday, January 3, 2011

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Day Nine, We as His True Love


There is beautiful imagery in this English carol, some that I understand and some that still puzzles me. The lyrics are ancient, possibly from before the 1800's. The words have been set to many different tunes. There are other verses pertaining to the life of Jesus, but these are ones relating to Christmas.


Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play
To call my true love to my dance
Sing, O my love, O my love, my love, my love
This have I done for my true love

Then was I born of a virgin pure
Of her I took fleshly substance
Thus was I knit to man's nature
To call my true love to my dance

Sing, O my love, O my love, my love, my love
This have I done for my true love

In a manger laid and wrapped I was
So very poor, this was my chance
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass
To call my true love to my dance

Sing, O my love, O my love, my love, my love
This have I done for my true love

Then afterwards baptized I was
The Holy Ghost on me did glance
My Father's voice heard from above
To call my true love to my dance

Sing, O my love, O my love, my love, my love
This have I done for my true love


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