
Arr. Bruce Saylor
Ding dong! merrily on high, In heav’n the bells are ringing;
Ding dong! verily the sky, Is riv’n with angel singing.
Refrain: Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!
E’en so here below, below, Let steeple bells be swungen,
And “I-o, i-o, i-o!” By priest and people sungen. Refrain.
Pray you dutifully prime, Your matin chime, ye ringers!
May you beautifully rime, Your evetime song, ye singers! Refrain.
Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging angels singing, Nowells ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new;
Saw the glory, heard the story, Tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow: praises voicing, greet the morrow;
Christ the Babe was born for you.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
’Tis the season to be jolly! Fa la la la la la la la la.
Fill the mead cup, drain the barrel, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Troll the ancient Christmas carol. Fa la la la la la la la la.
See the flowing bowl before us! Fa la la la la la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus! Fa la la la la la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la la.
While I sing of beauty’s treasure. Fa la la la la la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses! Fa la la la la la la la la.
Laughing, quaffing, all together, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather. Fa la la la la la la la la.