The Wexford Carol
McMahon Katie Lyrics

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Good people all this Christmas time
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending His beloved Son
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas day
In Bethlehem upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God's angel did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear
"Prepare and go," the angel said
"To Bethlehem, be not afraid
For there you'll find this happy morn
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born"

With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went the babe to find
And as God's angel hath foretold
They did our Savior Christ behold
Within a manger He was laid
And by His side the virgin maid

Attending on the Lord of Life
Who came to earth to end all strife

Overall Meaning

The Wexford Carol is a traditional Christmas carol from Ireland. The song starts by asking people to consider and remember what God has done for us by sending His beloved Son, Jesus. The second verse tells the story of the shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks when an angel appeared and told them about the birth of Jesus. The shepherds were scared at first but were then reassured to go and see the newborn baby.

The final verse expresses the joy and thankfulness felt by the shepherds and all who have witnessed the birth of Jesus. The baby Jesus is depicted as lying in a manger, with Mary by His side attending to Him. The song emphasizes the significance and importance of Jesus' birth, and how it brings an end to all strife.

Overall, the Wexford Carol is a beautiful and moving representation of the Christian faith's central event, Christmas, and how it brings hope and peace to the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Good people all this Christmas time
Hey everyone, listen up during this holiday season

Consider well and bear in mind
Think deeply and remember

What our good God for us has done
Recognize the gracious act of sending his son for us

In sending His beloved Son
By sending his cherished child

With Mary holy we should pray
Let us pray to God together with his pure mother Mary

To God with love this Christmas day
Show love to God today, on Christmas day

In Bethlehem upon that morn
On that morning in Bethlehem

There was a blessed Messiah born
A holy Savior was born

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
The shepherds were near Bethlehem tending to their flocks

Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
The sheep and lambs were eating and the shepherds were watching over them

To whom God's angel did appear
An angel from God revealed himself to the shepherds