As Joseph Was A-Walking

As Joseph was a-walking,

He heard an angel sing,

"This Night shall be the birth-time

Of Christ, the Heavenly King.

He neither shall be born

In house nor in hall,

Nor in a place of paradise,

But in an ox's stall.

He shall not 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 manger

That resteth on the mold."

As Joseph was a-walking

There did an angel sing,

And Mary's child at midnight

Was born to be our King.

Then be ye glad, good people,

This night of all the year,

And light ye up your candles,

For His star it shineth clear.