The Bellman's Good-Morrow
From sluggish sleep and slumber
good Christians all arise
for Christ his sake I pray you
lift up your drowsy eyes
The night of shame and sorrow
is parting clean away
God give you all good morrow
and send you happy day
from all the rage of wickedness
look that you strip you quite
in garments of true godliness
see that your selves be dight
Shake off all shame and sorrow
which doth your souls destroy
God give you all good morrow
and send you happy day
And being thus attired
you may in peace proceed
Unto the heavenly tableof Christ our lord indeed
Where neither same nor sorrow
shall you in aught annoy
God give you all good morrow
and send you happy day
Then looke your lamps be ready
and that with oil of store
to wait upon the bridegroom
even at his Chamber door
Where neither shame nor sorrow
shall you in aught annoy
God give you all good morrow
and send you happy day
Then shall you rest in blessedness
which never shall have end
enjoying Christ his presence
our sweet and surest friend
where neither shame nor sorro
shall you in aught annoy
God give you all good morrow:
and send you happy day
Thus with my bell, and lantern
I bid you all farewell
and keep in your remembrance
the sounding of my bell
lest that with sin and sorrow
you do yourselves destroy
God give you all good morrow
& send you happy joy. Anonymous, 16th Century
