Villagers All

This wonderful carol takes its lyrics from chapter five of children's classic The Wind in the Willows in which a group of field-mice carolers sing to Mole and Rat.

Andy Davis (a member of the ensemble Nowell Sing We Clear) set these lyrics to an original tune. It was first recorded on their 2013 "Bidding You Joy" album. John Roberts sings the verses. The second video is a 2000 virtual performance by members of the Davis family.

Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) was the author of The Wind in the Willows, which was first published by Charles Scriber's Sons in 1908.

intro: C Em F C / Dm7 - G7 - (before each verse)

    Villagers all, this frosty tide,
    Let your doors swing open wide,
    Though wind may follow & snow beside,
    Yet draw us in by your fire to bide;
              Joy shall be yours (3x) in the morning! (repeat)
C Dm C Am / Dm7 G C - / Am Em F C / Dm G C - //: Am G Dm7 G / - - F C ://

Here we stand in the cold & sleet,
Blowing fingers & stamping feet,
Come from far away you to greet—
You by the fire & we in the street—
           Bidding you joy (3x) in the morning! (repeat)

   Ere one half of the night was gone,
Sudden a star has led us on,
Raining bliss & benison—
Bliss to-morrow & more anon,
           Joy (3x) for every morning! (repeat)

Goodman Joseph toiled through the snow—
Saw the star o'er a stable low;
Mary she might not further go—
Welcome thatch & litter below!
           Joy was hers (3x) in the morning! (repeat)

   Then they heard the angels tell
'Who were the first to cry Nowell?
Animals all, as it befell,
In the stable where they did dwell
           Joy shall be theirs (3x) in the morning!' (repeat)

(outro:) Joy shall be yours in the morning!
(Am G Dm7 G) G - F C

- lyrics by Kenneth Grahame (in public domain). music by Andy Davis 
(c) 2013 author. All rights reserved.