Now Thrice Welcome Christmas

Anon (1695)

Now thrice welcome, Christmas,

Which brings us good cheer,

Mince pies and plum porridge,

good ale and strong beer;

With pig, goose and capon,

The best that may be,

So well doth the weather

And our stomachs agree.

Observe how the chimneys

Do smoke all about:

The cooks are providing

For dinner, no doubt;

But those on whose tables

No victuals appear -

Oh may they keep Lent

All the rest of the year!

With holly and ivy

So green and so gay,

We deck up our houses

As fresh as the day,

With bay and rosemary

And laurels complete,

And everyone now

Is a king in conceit.