About the Song
This song is a traditional broadside ballad first published in the mid 1640s as a polemic against the Puritan side in the English Civil War. It was recorded by Maddy Prior with the Carnival Band.
It should not be confused with the composed folk song with the same title by Leon Roselson written in 1975.
Listen to me and you shall hear, news hath not been this thousand year:
Since Herod, Caesar & many more, you never heard the like before.
Holy-dayes are despis'd, new fashions are devis'd, Old Christmas is kickt out of Town.
Yet let's be content & the times lament, you see the world turn'd upside down.
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The wise men did rejoyce to see our Savior Christ's nativity
The Angels did good tidings bring, the Sheepheards did rejoyce & sing.
Let all honest men, take example by them, Why should we from good Laws be bound?
Yet let's be content & the times lament, you see the world turn'd upside down.
Command is given, we must obey & quite forget old Christmas day:
Kill a thousand men or a Town regain, we will give thanks & praise amain.
The wine pot shall clinke, we will feast & drinke & then strange motions will abound.
Yet let's be content & the times lament, you see the world turn'd upside down.
Our Lords & knights & gentry too, do mean old fashions to forgoe:
They set a porter at the gate, that none must enter in thereat.
They count it a sin when poor people come in, hospitality it selfe is drown'd.
Yet let's be content...
The serving men doe sit & whine & think it long ere dinner time:
The Butler's still out of the way or else my Lady keeps the key,
The poor old cook in the larder doth look, where is no goodnesse to be found,
Yet let's be content...
To conclude, I'le tell you news that's right, Christmas was kil'd at Naseby fight*
Charity was slain at that same time, Jack Tell troth too, a friend of mine,
Likewise then did die, roast beef & shred pie, pig, goose & capon no quarter found.
Yet let's be content & the times lament, you see the world turn'd upside down.
- anonymous, 17th century English ballad
* "Naseby fight" refers to the Battle of Naseby in which the New Model Army under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell soundly defeated Royalist armies loyal to King Charles II.