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Your book of carols

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1.O little town of BethlehemO little town of Bethlehem,How still we see thee lie!Above thy deep and dreamless sleepThe silent stars go by.Yet in thy dark streets shinethThe everlasting light;The hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonight.

O morning stars, togetherProclaim the holy birth,And praises sing to God the King,And peace to men on earth;For Christ is born of Mary;And, gathered all above,While mortals sleep, the angels keepTheir watch of wondering love.

How silently, how silentlyThe wondrous gift is given!So God imparts to human heartsThe blessings of his heaven.No ear may his coming,But in this world of sin,Where meek souls will receive him still,The dear Christ enters in.

O Holy Child of Bethlehem,Descend to us, we pray;Cast out our sin, and enter in,Be born to us today.We hear the Christmas angelsThe great glad tidings tell:O come to us, abide with us,Our Lord Emmanuel.

Philips Brooks (1835–1893)

WelcomeThank you for coming together with your family, friends and local community to help make sure that no child feels alone.

This book of carols is yours to keep and is jam-packed full of songs for you to enjoy. Carol Singing events are fun, joyous occasions, so pick your favourites or sing them all – it’s up to you.

Of course, there are very serious reasons why we need your support, so at the back of this book you can read about how we’re making a difference to the lives of millions of children both now and in the future.

So sing your hearts out and raise as much as you can. Every extra pound you raise helps us transform the lives of even more children.

Thank you.

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2.The first NowellThe First Nowell, the angels did say,Was to certain poor shepherdsin fields as they lay;In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a starShining in the East, beyond them far,And to the earth it gave great light,And so it continued both day and night.Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, (etc)

And by the light of that same starThree wise men came from country afar,To seek for a King was their intent,And to follow the star wherever it went.Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, (etc)

The star drew nigh to the north-westOver Bethlehem paused, and there did rest;And there it did both stop and stayRight over the place where Jesus lay.Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, (etc)

Then entered in those wise men three,Full reverently on bended knee,And offered there in his presenceTheir gold and myrrh and frankincense.Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, (etc)

Then let us all with one accord,Sing praises to our heavenly LordThat hath made heaven and earth of noughtAnd with his blood mankind has bought.Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, (etc)

Anon, 1833

3.Away in a mangerAway in a manger,No crib for a bed,The little Lord JesusLaid down his sweet head;The stars in the bright skyLooked down where he lay;The little Lord JesusAsleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing,The baby awakesBut little Lord JesusNo crying he makes;I love thee, Lord JesusLook down from the skyAnd stay by my side,Until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,I ask thee to stayClose by me foreverAnd love me, I pray.Bless all the dear childrenIn thy tender care,And take us to heavenTo live with thee there.

John Thomas MacFarland (c. 1892)

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5.The holly and the ivy

4.While shepherds watched their flocks The holly and the ivy,

When they are both full grown;Of all the trees that are in the woodThe holly bears the crown.O the rising of the sunAnd the running of the deer,The playing of the merry organSweet singing of the choir.

The holly bears a blossomAs white as lily flower;And Mary bore sweet Jesus ChristTo be our sweet Saviour.O the rising of the sun (etc)

The holly bears a berryAs red as any blood;And Mary bore sweet Jesus ChristTo do poor sinners good.O the rising of the sun (etc)

The holly bears a prickleAs sharp as any thorn;And Mary bore sweet Jesus ChristOn Christmas Day in the morn.O the rising of the sun (etc)

The holly bears a barkAs bitter as any gall;And Mary bore sweet Jesus ChristFor to redeem us all.O the rising of the sun (etc)

The holly and the ivy,Now both are full well grown;Of all the trees that are in the wood,The holly bears the crown.O the rising of the sun (etc)

English Folk Carol

Anon

While shepherds watched theirflocks by night,All seated on the ground,The angel of the Lord came down,And glory shone around.

‘Fear not,’ said he, (for mighty dreadHad seized their troubled minds);Glad tidings of great joy I bringTo you and all mankind.

To you in David’s town this dayIs born of David’s lineThe Saviour who is Christ the Lord;And this shall be the sign.

The heavenly Babe you there shall findTo human view displayed,And meanly wrapped in swathing bandsAnd in a manger laid.’

Thus spake the seraph; and forthwithAppeared a shining throngOf angels praising God, who thusAddressed their joyful song.

‘All glory be to God on high,And to the earth be peace;Goodwill henceforth from heaven to all,Begin and never cease.’

Nahum Tate (1652–1715)

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6.Joy to the worldJoy to the world, the Lord is come!Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare him room,And heaven and nature sing,And heaven and nature sing,And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns!Let all their songs employ;While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plainsRepeat the sounding joy,Repeat the sounding joy,Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,Nor thorns infest the ground;He comes to make his blessings flowFar as the curse is found,Far as the curse is found,Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,And makes the nations proveThe glories of his righteousness,And wonders of his love,And wonders of his love,And wonders, wonders, of his love.

Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

7.O come, all ye faithfulO Come all ye faithful,Joyful and triumphant,O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;Come and behold himBorn the King of Angels:O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,Christ the Lord.

God of God,Light of light,Lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb;Very God,Begotten not created:O come, let us adore him, (etc)

See how the shepherds,Summoned to his cradle,Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with Lowly fear;We too will thither Bend our joyful footsteps:O come, let us adore him, (etc)

Sing, choirs of angels,Sing, in exultation,Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;Glory to GodIn the highest:O come, let us adore him, (etc)

John Francis Wade (1711-1786)

‘There is nothing you can’t tell them, I feel that other people might tell you off but [The Children’s Society] just advise you.’ Young person

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8.The 12 days of Christmas

On the seventh day of Christmas,My true love sent to meSeven swans a-swimming, six… etc

On the eighth day of Christmas,my true love sent to meEight maids a-milking, seven… etc

On the ninth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meNine ladies dancing, eight… etc

On the tenth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meTen lords a-leaping, nine… etc

On the eleventh day of Christmas,My true love sent to meEleven pipers piping, ten… etc

On the twelfth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meTwelve drummers drumming,eleven… etc

English Traditional

On the first day of Christmas,My true love sent to meA partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,My true love sent to meTwo turtle doves and a… etc

On the third day of Christmas,My true love sent to meThree French hens, two… etc

On the fourth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meFour calling birds, three… etc

On the fifth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meFive golden rings, four… etc

On the sixth day of Christmas,My true love sent to meSix geese a-laying, five… etc

‘You may not realise that what you do changes lives. I would not have been here if it wasn’t for your hard work.’ Young person

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9.Silent nightSilent night, holy night,All is calm, all is bright;Round yon Virgin Mother and child,Holy infant so tender and mild,Sleep in heavenly peace,Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!Shepherds quake at the sight:Glories stream from heaven afar,Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!Christ, the Saviour is born,Christ, the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night,Son of God, love’s pure light;Radiance beams from thy holy face,With the dawn of redeeming grace,Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Joseph Mohr (1792–1848)

10.Good King WenceslasGood King Wenceslas looked out,On the feast of Stephen,When the snow lay round about,Deep and crisp and even:Brightly shone the moon that night,Though the frost was cruel,When a poor man came in sight,Gath’ring winter fuel.

‘Hither, page and stand by me,If thou know’st it, telling,Yonder peasant, who is he?Where and whence his dwelling?’‘Sire, he lives a good league hence,Underneath the mountain,Right against the forest fence,By Saint Agnes’ fountain.’

‘Bring me flesh and bring me wineBring me pine logs hither:Thou and I will see him dine,When we bear him thither.’Page and monarch, forth they went,Forth they went together;Through the rude wind’s wild lament,And the bitter weather.

‘Sire, the night is darker now,And the wind blows stronger,Fails my heart, I know not how;I can go no longer.’‘Mark my footsteps, good my page:Tread thou in them boldly:Thou shalt find the winter’s rageFreeze thy blood less coldly.’

In his master’s steps he trod,Where the snow lay dinted;Heat was in the very sodWhich the Saint had printedTherefore, Christian men, be sureWealth or rank possessing,Ye who now will bless the poorShall yourselves find blessing

John M. Neale (1818–1866)

‘Ultimately The Children’s Society’s goal is to make it about young people – to get young people’s voices heard – if you’ve got something to say, someone will listen.’ Young person

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12.Ding Dong! Merrily on high

11.God rest ye merryGentlemen

Ding dong! Merrily on highIn heav’n the bells are ringing:Ding dong! Verily the skyIs riv’n with angel singing.Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

E’en so here below, below,Let steeple bells be swungen,And i-o, i-o, i-o,By priest and people sungen.Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you dutifully primeYour matin chime, ye ringers;May you beautifully rimeYour evetime song, ye singers.Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848–1934)

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,Let nothing you dismay,For Jesus Christ our SaviourWas born on Christmas Day,To save us all from Satan’s powerWhen we were gone astray:O tidings of comfort and joy,Comfort and joy,O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heavenly FatherA blessed Angel came,And unto certain shepherdsBrought tidings of the same,How that in Bethlehem was bornThe Son of God by name.O tidings of comfort and joy, (etc)

The shepherds at those tidingsRejoiced much in mind,And left their flocks a-feeding,In tempest, storm and wind,And went to Bethlehem straightwayThe blessed babe to find:O tidings of comfort and joy, (etc)

But when to Bethlehem they came,Whereat this infant lay,They found him in a manger,Where oxen feed on hay;His Mother Mary kneeling,Unto the Lord did pray:O tidings of comfort and joy, (etc)

Now to the Lord sing praises,All you within this place,And with true love and brotherhood,Each other now embrace;This holy tide of ChristmasAll others doth efface.O tidings of comfort and joy, (etc)

Anon

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13.Once in royal David’s cityOnce in royal David’s cityStood a lowly cattle shed,Where a mother laid her babyIn a manger for his bed:Mary was that mother mild,Jesus Christ, her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,Who is God and Lord of all,And his shelter was a stable,And his cradle was a stall;With the poor, and mean, and lowly,Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And our eyes at last shall see him,Through his own redeeming love;For that child so dear and gentle,Is our Lord in heaven above:And he leads his children on,To the place where he is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,With the oxen standing by,We shall see him, but in heaven.Set at God’s right hand on high;Where like stars his children crownedAll in white shall wait around.

Cecil Frances Alexander (1818–1895)

14.We three Kingsof Orient areWe three kings of Orient areBearing gifts we traverse afarField and fountain, moor and mountainFollowing yonder starO Star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plainGold I bring to crown him againKing forever, ceasing neverOver us all to reignO Star of wonder, star of night (etc)

Frankincense to offer have IIncense owns a Deity nighPray’r and praising, all men raisingWorship him, God most high.O Star of wonder, star of night (etc)

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfumeBreathes of life of gathering gloomSorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dyingSealed in the stone-cold tombO Star of wonder, star of night (etc)

Glorious now behold him ariseKing and God and sacrificeAlleluia, AlleluiaEarth to heav’n repliesO Star of wonder, star of night (etc)

Rev. John Henry Hopkins Jr (1820–1891)

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15.Deck the hallsDeck the halls with boughs of hollyFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la‘Tis the season to be jollyFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laDon we now our gay apparelFa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-laTroll the ancient Yule-tide carolFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

See the blazing Yule before usFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laStrike the harp and join the chorusFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laFollow me in merry measureFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laWhile I tell of Yule-tide treasureFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Fast away the old year passesFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laHail the new year, lads and lassesFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laSing we joyous, all togetherFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laheedless of the wind and weatherFa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Welsh melody, American lyrics (1866)

16.Hark! The heraldangels singHark! the herald angels singGlory to the newborn King!Peace on earth and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled;Joyful all ye nations riseJoin the triumph of the skies;With the angelic host proclaim:Christ is born in Bethlehem.Hark! The herald angels singGlory to the newborn King.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,Christ, the everlasting Lord!Late in time behold him come,Offspring of a Virgin’s womb:Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,Hail the incarnate DeityPleased as man with man to dwell,Jesus, our Emmanuel!Hark! The herald angels singGlory to the newborn King!

Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!Hail the Son of Righteousness!Light and life to all he brings,Ris’n with healing in his wings;Mild, he lays his glory by,Born that man no more may die;Born to raise the sons of earth,Born to give them second birth.Hark! The herald angels singGlory to the newborn King!

Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

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18.White ChristmasI’m dreaming of a white ChristmasJust like the ones I used to knowWhere the tree tops glistenAnd children listenTo hear sleigh bells in the snow

I’m dreaming of a white ChristmasWith every Christmas card I writeMay your days be merry and brightAnd may all your Christmases be white

I’m dreaming of a white Christmasjust like the ones I used to knowWhere the tree tops glistenAnd children listenTo hear sleigh bells in the snow.

Words & Music by Irving Berlin

© Copyright 1942 Irving Berlin Music Corporation.

Universal Music Publishing Limited.

All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.

Used by permission of Music Sales Limited.

‘Coming to The Children’s Society has opened my eyes, made me step back from the mistakes I was making.’ Lauren, 16

17.Jingle bellsDashing through the snowIn a one horse open sleighO’er the fields we goLaughing all the way;Bells on bob-tail ringMaking spirits brightO, what fun it is to singA sleighing song tonight!

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bellsJingle all the way,Oh, what fun it is to rideIn a one horse open sleigh.

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bellsJingle all the way,Oh, what fun it is to rideIn a one horse open sleigh.

James Lord Pierpont (1857)

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20.Go tell it on the mountain

19.Little donkey

Go, tell it on the mountain,over the hills and everywhere.Go, tell it on the mountainthat Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watchingo’er silent flocks by night,behold, throughout the heavensThere shone a holy light.

The shepherds feared and trembledwhen lo, above the earthrang out the angel chorusthat hailed our Saviour’s birth!

Down in a lonely mangerthe humble Christ was born,and God sent our salvationthat blessed Christmas morn.

Adapted by John W. Work (1872 – 1925)

Little donkey,little donkeyon the dusty roadGot to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load

Been a long time,little donkey,through the winter’s nightDon’t give up now,little donkey,Bethlehem’s in sight

Ring out those bells tonightBethlehem, BethlehemFollow that star tonightBethlehem, Bethlehem

Little donkey,little donkeyHad a heavy dayLittle donkey,carry Mary Safely on her way.

“Little Donkey”

By Eric Boswell

(c) Chappell Music LTD (PRS)

All Rights Administered by Warner/Chappell Music LTD

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22.We wish you amerry ChristmasWe wish you a merry ChristmasWe wish you a merry ChristmasWe wish you a merry ChristmasAnd a Happy New Year.Good tidings we bringTo you and your kin;We wish you a merry ChristmasAnd a Happy New Year!

Now bring us some figgy puddingNow bring us some figgy puddingNow bring us some figgy puddingAnd bring some out here.Good tidings we bring (etc)

For we all like figgy puddingFor we all like figgy puddingFor we all like figgy puddingSo bring some out here.Good tidings we bring (etc)

We won’t go until we get some;We won’t go until we get some;We won’t go until we get some,So bring some out here.Good tidings we bring (etc)

E.D. Gritman (1887)

21.Let it snowOh! The weather outside is frightfulBut the fire is so delightfulAnd since we’ve no place to goLet it snow, let it snow, let it snow

No it doesn’t show signs of stoppingAnd I brought some corn for poppingThe lights are turned way down lowLet it snow, let it snow, let it snow

When we finally kiss goodnightHow I’ll hate going out in the stormBut if you’ll really hold me tightAll the way home I’ll be warm

The fire is slowly dyingAnd my dear we’re still goodbye-ingBut as long as you love me soLet it snow, let it snow, let it snow

When we finally kiss goodnightHow I’ll hate going out in the stormBut if you’ll really hold me tightAll the way home I’ll be warm

The fire is slowly dyingAnd my dear we’re still goodbye-ingBut as long as you love me soLet it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Let it snow, let it snowLet it snow, let it snowOne more timeLet it snow, let it snowLet it snow, let it snow

Words by Sammy Cahn

Music by Jule Styne

© Copyright 1945 Cahn Music Company, USA.

Imagem Music.

All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.

Used by permission of Music Sales Limited

‘You don’t feel “processed” here.’ Young person

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Help us be there for more children like Maddie

Wherever you are, whatever you believe, Christmas is a time to come together.

Whoever you are spending your Christmas with, this time of year should be about coming together, celebrating, and feeling part of something bigger, something good.

But sadly for many young people Christmas means something very different. No child should feel alone, especially at Christmas, yet right now in this country, there are children who aren’t safe, aren’t loved and can’t cope. Imagine having no one to turn to at Christmas, no one you can trust.

That was how Maddie felt. At 15 she was suffering violence at home, so she started to run away.

‘I think support from The Children’s Society

is really important because young people

see them more as ordinary people and they are sometimes

more likely to open up to them.’

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To find out more about all of these things go to childrenssociety.org.uk or call us on 0300 303 7000.

Help us raise money or donate

n Give regularly or keep a collection box. n Raise money by holding your own

fundraising event.

Spare some time

n Join us as a shop volunteer or a volunteer speaker.

Show your support

n Get behind our campaigns or sign up to our monthly prayer email.

Ways you can help

She tried to get help, but sadly wasn’t believed.

With nowhere else to turn, Maddie started sleeping on the streets or on friend’s sofas,

‘I was too young to get scared so I would sleep in different places like behind schools or in phone boxes. If someone had attacked me, there would have been nothing I could have done.’

Then one day after seeing a leaflet for The Children’s Society, Maddie decided to get in touch with her local service and met with a project worker.

‘They talked to me about my reasons for running away, and gave me advice. They were good at asking what I wanted, and persuaded me to give social services another chance because I didn’t know my own rights.’

Maddie continued to receive support from The Children’s Society who helped her get support from the local council.

Now, Maddie is helping other young people in a similar situation by working as a social worker.

Together, we can make life better for more children like Maddie.

The Children’s Society Edward Rudolf House Margery Street London WC1X 0JL

t: 0300 303 7000 e: supportercare@childrenssociety.org.uk childrenssociety.org.uk

© The Children’s Society 2017. Photo © Laura McCluskeyCharity Registration No. 221124 R

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Too many children and young people in this country don’t feel safe, loved

or able to cope. Together we can change their lives.

The Children’s Society is a national charity that runs local services and campaigns to change the law to help this

country’s most vulnerable young people.

Our supporters around the country fund our services and join our campaigns to show children they are on their side.

Find out more at childrenssociety.org.uk