6.'For these be they, good steward,
Whom God doth chiefly choose,
And these, His poorer brethren,
No man may dare refuse.
So, in this bleak December,
Then make we best good cheer,
When, for the sake of Babe Jesú,
The poor we welcome here.'
XV. HOB AND COLIN, YULE IS COME
1.Hob and Colin, Yule is come,
Calling forth your fife and drum;
If ye strike up, as ye can,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
I will carol; so will Jan,
With a lassie, Joan or Nan.
2.Thus men gave, in olden days,
To the Prince of princes, praise:
Wherefore, an ye like my plan,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
Dress your drum-stick, you; and span,
You, your reed, my piper Pan.
3.Christmas tolls the devil's knell;
Thankèd be Emmanuel.
So from England to Japan,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
Whether town or country man,
Sing it, ring it, ran-tan-ran.
4.God and man accordant are:
Not so, fife and drum; ye jar,
Yet nought would I sooner than
Turelurelu, patapatapan.
Fore our Lady and Saint Ann,
'Tis high time the thing began.
