by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

Language: English 
What cheer? Good cheer!
Be merry and glad this good New Year!
'Lift up your hearts and be glad
In Christ's birth', the angel bade,
Say each to other, if any be sad:
'What cheer!'

Now the King of heav'n his birth hath take,
Joy and mirth we ought to make:
Say each to other, for this sake:
'What cheer?'

I tell you all with heart so free:
Right welcome ye be to me;
Be glad and merry for charity!
What cheer? Good cheer!
What cheer? Good cheer!
Be merry and glad this good New Year!

Composition:

    Set to music by William Walton (1902 - 1983), "What cheer?" [ chorus a cappella ]

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, in Richard Hill's Commonplace Book, 16th century

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2010-07-15
Line count: 16
Word count: 96