The Ditchling Carol

As part of a seasonal Homeless Action drive, carollers are out dressed in Dickensian garb and collecting for those who've found themselves at the chilly end of Britain's slide back to Victorian standards. Since you can't hear them warbling their hearts out, here's a decent alternative performed by Waterson:Carthy; a lesser-known nineteenth century carol of increasing relevance again (if, indeed, it ever stopped being relevant).


Be merry all, be merry all
With holly dress the festive hall
Prepare the song the feast of all
To welcome Merry Christmas

And all remember gentles gay
For you who bask in fortune's ray
The year is all a holiday
The poor have only Christmas

When you with velvets mantled o'er
Defy December's tempest's roar
Oh spare one garment from your store
To clothe the poor at Christmas

When you the costly banquet deal
To guests who never famine feel
Oh spare one morsel from your meal
To feed the poor at Christmas

From blazing logs of fuel a while
Your homes are within summer's smile
Oh spare one log from off the pile
To warm the poor at Christmas

So shall each note of mirth appear
More sweet to Heaven than praise or prayer
And angels in their carols there
Shall bless the poor at Christmas