Entertainment Music The Wexford Carol A Traditional Irish Christmas Carol Print People shopping at the Christmas Markets at Town Hall in Belfast. Peter Unger / Getty Images Music World Music Genres & Styles Top Picks Top Artists Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Classical Music Country Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Megan Romer Updated on 02/28/19 The Wexford Carol is a beloved traditional Irish Christmas carol. It is also known as "The Enniscorthy Carol", as it was originally collected by a folklorist named Grattan Flood in Enniscorthy, a town in Ireland's County Wexford, as well as "Carul Loch Garman" (the Irish translation of "Wexford Carol"). The lyrics, which are in English, date back to the 12th century. As is the case with all very old songs, the history is a bit hard to track, but it appears that the lyrics were added to the tune much later, and it is not believed that the lyrics were originally in the Irish language. Some reverse translations have been made by contemporary Irish trad musicians, but the English lyrics are actually the most traditional ones. Lyrics Good people all, this Christmas time,Consider well and bear in mindWhat our good God for us has doneIn sending his beloved sonWith Mary holy we should pray,To God with love this Christmas DayIn Bethlehem upon that morn,There was a blessed Messiah born The night before that happy tideThe noble Virgin and her guideWere long time seeking up and downTo find a lodging in the townBut mark right well what came to passFrom every door repelled, alasAs was foretold, their refuge allWas but a humble ox's stall Near Bethlehem did shepherds keepTheir flocks of lambs and feeding sheepTo whom God's angel did appearWhich put the shepherds in great fearArise and go, the angels saidTo Bethlehem, be not afraidFor there you'll find, this happy mornA princely babe, sweet Jesus, born With thankful heart and joyful mindThe shepherds went the babe to findAnd as God's angel had foretoldThey did our Saviour Christ beholdWithin a manger he was laidAnd by his side a virgin maidAttending on the Lord of LifeWho came on earth to end all strife There were three wise men from afarDirected by a glorious starAnd on they wandered night and dayUntil they came where Jesus layAnd when they came unto that placeWhere our beloved Messiah layThey humbly cast them at his feetWith gifts of gold and incense sweet. Essential Recordings Eileen Ivers (from An Nollaig - An Irish Christmas) - Listen/Download Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss, and Natalie MacMaster (from Songs of Joy and Peace) - Listen/Download Moira Smiley (from Rua) - Listen/Download