A Lyke-Wake Dirge

by Anonymous (1500-1599)

This ae nighte, this ae nighte,   —Every nighte and alle, Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,   And Christe receive thy saule. When thou from hence away art past,   —Every nighte and alle, To Whinny-muir thou com'st at last;   And Christe receive thy saule. If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon,   —Every nighte and alle, Sit thee down and put them on;   And Christe receive thy saule. If hosen and shoon thou ne'er gav'st nane   —Every nighte and alle, The whinnes sall prick thee to the bare bane;   And Christe receive thy saule. From Whinny-muir when thou may'st pass,   —Every nighte and alle, To Brig o' Dread thou com'st at last;   And Christe receive thy saule. From Brig o' Dread when thou may'st pass,   —Every nighte and alle, To Purgatory fire thou com'st at last;   And Christe receive thy saule. If ever thou gavest meat or drink,   —Every nighte and alle, The fire sall never make thee shrink;   And Christe receive thy saule. If meat or drink thou ne'er gav'st nane,   —Every nighte and alle, The fire will burn thee to the bare bane;   And Christe receive thy saule. This ae nighte, this ae nighte,   —Every nighte and alle, Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,   And Christe receive thy saule.

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