Browse Carols: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # Christmas Is My Name 1. Christmas is my name, far have I gone, Have I gone, have I gone, have I gone, without regard1 Whereas great men by flocks there were flown, There to be flown, there to be flown, there to be flown, to London-ward; Where they in pomp and pleasure do waste That which Christmas was wonted to feast, Welladay! Houses where music was wont for to ring Nothing but bats and owlets do sing. Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! Where should I stay? 2. Christmas beef and bread is turn'd into stones and silken rags; And Lady Money sleeps and makes moans in miser's bags; Houses where pleasure once did abound Nought but a dog and a shepherd is found, Welladay! Places where Christmas revels did keep And now become habitations for sheep. Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! Where should I stay? 3. Pan, the shepherd's god, doth deface Lady Ceres' crown, And tillage that doth go to decay in every town: Landlords their rents so highly enhance That Pierce, the ploughman, bare-foot may dance; Welladay! And farmers that Christmas would entertain, Have scarce wherewith themselves to maintain. Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! Where should I stay? 4. Come to the countryman, he will protest, and of bull beef boast; And for the citizen, he is so hot he will burn the roast. The courtier he good deeds will not scorn, Nor will he see poor Christmas forlorn: Welladay! Since none of these good deeds will do, Christmas had best turn courtier too. Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! Where should I stay? 5. Pride and luxury they do devour housekeeping quite; And beggary that doth beget in many a knight. Madam, forsooth, in her couch must wheel, Although she wear her hose out at heel, Welladay! And on her back wear that for a weed Which me and all my fellows would feed. Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! Where should I stay? 6. Since price came up with the yellow starch, poor folks do want, And nothing the rich man will to them give, but do them taunt; For Charity from the country is fed, And in her place hath left naught but need: Welladay! And corn is grown to so high a price, It makes poor men cry with weeping eyes. Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! Where should I stay? 7. Briefly for to end, here I do find a great vacation, That most great houses seem to attain a strong pergation: Where purging pills such effects they have thrown, Welladay! And whereas Christmas comes by and calls, Nought but solitary and naked walls. Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! Where should I stay? 8. Philemon's cottage was turned into gold for harbouring Jove: Rich men their houses for to keep might their greatness move; But in the city they say they do live, Where gold by handfulls away they do give: I'll away, And thither therefore I purpose to pass, Hopeing at London to find the Golden Ass. I'll away, I'll away, I'll away, for here's no stay. Browse Carols: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #