The provenance of the Wexford Carol is well-established, in County Wexford, Ireland, in the village of Enniscorthy: but the date of its composition is uncertain. It is sometimes proposed that the words may be as early as the 12th century, but there is no strong evidence for this; and some scholars argue that the sense of rhyme and meter is better developed than commonly found in 12th century writing. It appears that the words were originally in English, and then translated into Irish Gaelic; but this, again, is disputed by some scholars.

It seems that there are a number of early carols from Britain and Ireland that are named for particular places: along with today’s Wexford Carol, the Coventry Carol (which we will look at in a few days), and the Sussex Carol. This indicates that as the carol form developed in Britain and Ireland, particular carols arose in particular locations, and were held there loyally. So this carol is known as the Wexford Carol, or sometimes the Enniscorthy Carol, but usually not referred to by its first line, as most other carols are.

1. Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray,
To God with love this Christmas Day.
In Bethlehem upon that morn,
There was a blessed Messiah born.

2. The night before that happy tide,
The noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark right well what came to pass
From every door repelled, alas,
As was foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble ox’s stall.

3. Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep,
To whom God’s angel did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
Arise and go, the angels said
To Bethlehem, be not afraid.
For there you’ll find, this happy morn
A princely babe, sweet Jesus, born.

4. With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel had foretold,
They did our Saviour Christ behold.
Within a manger he was laid,
And by his side a virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of Life
Who came on earth to end all strife.

5. There were three wise men from afar
Directed by a glorious star
And on they wandered night and day
Until they came where Jesus lay
And when they came unto that place
Where our beloved Messiah lay
They humbly cast them at his feet
With gifts of gold and incense sweet.

Here is Alison Krause, accompanied by Yo Yo Ma and a small ensemble.