high, sing low, etc.

Onward then the angels sped, the shepherds onward went,
God was in His manger bed, in worship low they bent.
In the morning see ye mind, my masters one and all,
At the altar Him to find who lay within the stall.
Sing high, sing low, etc.

_H. R. Bramley._

A CHRISTMAS BALLAD.

Outlanders, whence come ye last?
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
Through what green sea and great have ye past?
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

From far away, O masters mine,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
We come to bear you goodly wine:
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

From far away we come to you,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
To tell of great tidings strange and true:
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

News, news of the Trinity,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
And Mary and Joseph from over the sea:
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

For as we wandered far and wide,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
What hope do ye deem there should us betide?
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

Under a bent when the night was deep,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
There lay three shepherds tending their sheep:
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

"O ye shepherds, what have ye seen,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
To slay your sorrow and heal your teen?"
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

"In an ox-stall this night we saw,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
A Babe and a maid without a flaw.
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

"There was an old man there beside,
_The snow in the street and the wind, on the door._
His hair was white, and his hood was wide.
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

"And as we gazed this thing upon,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
Those twain knelt down to the Little One.
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

"And a marvellous song we straight did hear,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
That slew our sorrow and healed our care."
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._