Sir Christèmas

Sir Christèmas ( Sir Christmas - ie the figure of Father Christmas ) is an English Carol (Christmas carol). Text and melody come from an anonymous manuscript ( London , British Library , MS add 5665 ( Ritson )). It was edited by Charles Kennedy Scott and William Mathias (1934-1992) , among others . The Carol in British Additional MS 5665 (ff. 8v-9v) ascribed to Richard Smert (approx. 1400 – approx. 1479) begins in dialogue form:

Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell

Who is there that singeth so: Nowell, nowell, nowell?

I am here, Sire Christësmas.

Welcome, my lord, Sire Christëmas!

Welcome to us all, both more and less!

Come near, Nowell.

text

English

translation

Nowell, nowell. Who is there that singeth so, Nowell, nowell? I am here, Sir Christèmas. Welcome, my lord Sir Christèmas! Welcome to all, both more and less! Come near, come near, Nowell, nowell. Dieu vous garde, beaux sieurs, tidings I you bring: A maid hath borne a child full young, Which causeth you to sing: Nowell, nowell. Christ is now born of a pure maid; In an ox-stall he is laid, Wherefore sing we at abrayde: Nowell, nowell. Buvez bien, buvez bien par toute la compagnie. Make good cheer and be right merry, And sing with us now joyfully: Nowell, nowell. Nowell.

Nowell, Nowell. Who is it singing: Nowell, Nowell? I am here, sir Christemas. Welcome sir, Sir Christemas! Welcome us all! Come closer, come closer, Nowell, Nowell. Dieu vous garde, beaux sieurs, I bring you good news: A maid gave birth to a child, very young What makes you sing: Nowell, Nowell. Christ is now born of a pure maid; He was put in a cowshed That's why we sing: Nowell, Nowell. Buvez bien, buvez bien par toute la compagnie. Cheer with us and be very happy And sing happily with us: Nowell, Nowell. Nowell.

See also

• Ritson manuscript
• Father Christmas

Web links

• Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore: Father Christmas
• The English Father Christmas: A Separate Origin

Videos

• Sound samples: 1 ( William Mathias / Winchester Cathedral Choir ); 2 ( Choir of King's College (Cambridge) )

Alternative spellings

Sir Christmas, Sire Christëmas

References and footnotes

1. ↑ cf. The Oxford Book of Carols (1928: No. 21), pp. 40-43.
2. ↑ 100 Carols for Choirs (2011: No. 52), pp. 213-218 (from his Ave Rex)
3. ↑ Richard Smert . HOASM. Retrieved November 12, 2013. / http://www.arthuriana.co.uk/xmas/pages/english.htm
4. ↑ http://www.miniatureart.com/Learn/FF%20Archive/FF%20MASTER.pdf
5. ↑ http://landofllostcontent.blogspot.de/2009/12/william-mathias-sir-christemas-fine.html