Wexford Carol

Choral Parts are available separately. The Wexford Carol stands among the most beautiful of all Christmas carols and is believed to be one of the oldest still sung today. Though its exact origins remain uncertain, the song likely dates back several centuries. Its author is unknown, but the carol gained prominence in the 19th century after musicologist William Grattan Flood (1857–1928) heard it performed by a local chorister and helped bring it to wider attention. At the time, Flood served as organist and choirmaster at St. Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy, County Wexford. Struck by the carol’s beauty, he quickly added it to his repertoire for the local congregation. The Wexford Carol was later published in 1928—the year of Flood’s death—as No. 14 in The Oxford Book of Carols, edited by Percy Dearmer, Martin Shaw, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Now widely known and beloved throughout the world, the carol tells the deeply moving story of Christ’s birth — tracing Mary and Joseph’s weary search for shelter in Bethlehem and culminating in the quiet miracle at the manger. Written in the mixolydian mode, its gentle, haunting melody perfectly captures the reverence and radiance of the Nativity. Good people all, this Christmastide, 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. 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 how all things came to pass: From every door repelled, Alas! As long foretold, their refuge all Was but a humble ox’s stall. Let all your songs and praises be Unto His heav’nly majesty: And evermore amongst our mirth, Remember Christ our Savior’s birth. That night the Virgin Mary mild Was safe deliver’d of a child; According unto Heav’n’s decree, Man’s sweet salvation for to be. *This arrangement is also available in a version for SATB choir and chamber orchestra.