As Joseph Was A-Walking

Old English Carol

As Joseph was a-walking
He heard an angel sing:—
“This night there shall be born
Our heavenly King.

“He neither shall be born
In housen, nor in hall,
Nor in the place of Paradise,
But in an ox’s stall.

“He neither shall be clothèd
In purple nor in pall;
But in the fair, white linen,
That usen babies all.

“He neither shall be rockèd
In silver nor in gold,
But in a wooden cradle
That rocks on the mould.

“He neither shall be christened
In white wine nor in red,
But with fair spring water
With which we were christened.”

Mary took her baby,
She dressed Him so sweet,
She laid Him in a manger,
All there for to sleep.

As she stood over Him
She heard angels sing,
“O bless our dear Saviour,
Our heavenly King.”