A Happy New Year
by
The old year now away is fled,
The new year it is entered,
Then let us now our sins down-tread
And joyfully all appear.
Let’s merry be this holiday,
And let us now both sport and play,
Hang sorrow, let’s cast care away:
God send you a happy New Year!
For Christ’s circumcision this day we keep,
Who for our sins did often weep;
His hands and feet were wounded deep,
And His blessed side with a spear.
His head they crowned then with thorn,
And at Him they did laugh and scorn,
Who for to save our souls was born:
God send us a happy New Year!
And now with New-Year’s gifts each friend
Unto each other they do send;
God grant we may all our lives amend,
And that the truth may appear.
Now like the snake cast off your skin
Of evil thoughts and wicked sin,
And to amend this New Year begin:
God send us a happy New Year!
And now let all the company
In friendly manner all agree,
For we are here welcome, all may see,
Unto this jolly good cheer.
I thank my master and my dame,
The which are founders of the same;
To eat, to drink now is no shame:
God send us a merry New Year!
Come, lads and lasses every one,
Jack, Tom, Dick, Bessy, Mary, and Joan,
Let’s cut the meat up unto the bone,
For welcome you need not fear;
And here for good liquor we shall not lack,
It will whet my brains and strengthen my back;
This jolly good cheer it must go to wrack:
God send us a merry New Year!
Come, give’s more liquor when I do call,
I’ll drink to each one in this hall;
I hope that so loud I must not bawl,
But unto me lend an ear;
Good fortune to my master send,
And to my dame which is our friend,
Lord bless us all, and so I end:
God send us a happy New Year!
New Christmas Carols, A.D. 1642.