Masters, in this Hall

To Bethlem did they go, the shepherds three;
  To Bethlem did they go, to see whe’r it were so or no,
      Whether Christ were born or no
        To set men free.

      Masters, in this hall,
        Hear ye news to-day
      Brought over sea,
        And ever I you pray,
          Nowell! Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
            Sing we clear!
          Holpen are all folk on earth,
            Born is God’s Son so dear.

        Going over the hills
          Through the milk-white snow,
        Heard I ewes bleat
          While the wind did blow.
            Nowell, &c.

        Shepherds many an one
          Sat among the sheep;
        No man spake more word
          Than they had been asleep.
            Nowell, &c.

        Quoth I, ‘Fellows mine,
          Why this guise sit ye?
        Making but dull cheer,
          Shepherds though ye be?’
            Nowell, &c.

      ‘Shepherds should of right
          Leap and dance and sing;
        Thus to see ye sit
          Is a right strange thing.’
            Nowell, &c.

        Quoth these fellows then,
        ‘To Bethlem town we go,
        To see a mighty Lord
          Lie in manger low.’
            Nowell, &c.

      ‘How name ye this Lord,
          Shepherds?’ then said I.
      ‘Very God,’ they said,
        ‘Come from heaven high.’
            Nowell, &c.

        Then to Bethlem town
          We went two and two,
        And in a sorry place
          Heard the oxen low.
            Nowell, &c.

        Therein did we see
          A sweet and goodly May,
        And a fair old man;
          Upon the straw she lay.
            Nowell, &c.

        And a little Child
          On her arm had she;
      ‘Wot ye who This is?’
          Said the hinds to me.
            Nowell, &c.

        Ox and ass Him know,
          Kneeling on their knee:
        Wondrous joy had I
          This little Babe to see.
            Nowell, &c.

        This is Christ the Lord,
          Masters, be ye glad!
        Christmas is come in,
          And no folk should be sad.
            Nowell, &c.