The Holy Well (Arr. for Voice and Piano by Ralph Vaughan Williams) (Version 2)

As it fell out upon a day,

On a bright and a holy day,

Sweet Jesus asked of His dear mother,

If He might go and play.

‘To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go,

To play now get You gone,

And let me hear of no complaints

Tonight when You come home’.

Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town,

As far as the Holy Well,

And there did He see as fine children

As any tongue can tell.

He bade God bless them, every one,

And Christ their portion be.

‘Little children, shall I play with you?

And you shall play with Me’.

‘O nay we are lords’ and ladies’ sons,

Born in bower and hall,

And You, the meanest of us all,

Born in an ox’s stall’.

Sweet Jesus turned Himself around,

And neither did laugh nor smile,

But the tears did fall from sweet Jesus’ eyes,

Like water from the sky.

Then up spoke the Angel Gabriel,

‘Now by our good Saint Stephen,

Although Thou art but a maiden’s child,

Thou art the King of Heaven’.