Riches Everlastingly
SATB and organ. Text from the early 16th century. Rhythmic and fun, alternating between unison and parts.
Into this world this day did come Jesus Christ,
both God and man,
Lord and servant in one person,
Born of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
I pray you be merry and sing with me in worship of Christ's nativity.
He that was rich without any need
Appeared in this world in right poor weed
to make us, that were poor indeed,
Rich without any need truly.
A stable was his chamber, a cratch, his bed,
He had not a pillow to lay under his head,
With maiden's milk that babe was fed,
In poor clothes was lapped the Lord almighty.
A noble lesson here is us taught,
to set all worldly riches at naught,
But pray that we may thither be brought
Where riches is everlastingly.