Once as I remember (Wood) - Cantate Domino

Once, as I remember, at the time of Yule,
After mid December, when it bloweth cool,
I o'erheard a mother was a-singing, ‘Sweet Jesu,
     La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.'

Near as man was able, on my knee fell I,
in the Bethlem stable where the Babe did lie,
And the virgin mother was a-singing, ‘Sweet Jesu,
Herdmen from the prairie came and piped for glee
For the Babe and Mary: King of Glory he.
Then the virgin mother fell a-singing, ‘Sweet Jesu,
Ox and ass around him, courtier-like, did stand:
Fair white linen bound him, spun by Mary's hand.
While the virgin mother was a-singing, ‘Sweet Jesu,
To this Lord, contented to endure the cold,
Easterlings presented incense, myrrh and gold:
Then the virgin mother fell a-singing, ‘Sweet Jesu,
Ever among and o’er us angel-quire gan sing
Antiphons in chorus to the new-born King.
Then the virgin mother fell a-singing, ‘Sweet Jesu,