Fra William Morris's »The Earthly Paradise« (1868-70).
1. From far away we come to you,
The snow in the street and the wind on the door,
To tell of great tidings strange and true.
Minstrels and maids stand forth on the floor:
From far away we come to you,
To tell of great tidings strange and true.
2. For as we wandered far and wide,
The snow in the street ...
What hap do you deem there should us betide?
Minstrels ...
3. Under a bent when the night was deep,
The snow in the street ...
There lay three shepherds tending their sheep:
Minstrels ...
4. »O ye shepherds, what have ye seen,
The snow in the street ...
To slay your sorrow and heal your teen?«
Minstrels ...
5. »In an ox-stall this night we saw
The snow in the street ...
a babe and a maid without a flaw«
Minstrels ...
6. There was an old man there beside:
The snow in the street ...
His hair was white, and his hood was wide:
Minstrels ...
7. And as we gazed this thing upon,
The snow in the street ...
Those twain knelt down to the little one.
Minstrels ...
8. And a marvellous song we straight did hear,
The snow in the street ...
That slew our sorrow and healed our care.
Minstrels ...
9. News of a fair and a marvellous thing,
The snow in the street ...
Nowell. Nowell. Nowell, we sing!
Minstrels ...
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