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All you that to feasting and mirth are inclined
Come, here is good news for to pleasure your mind
Old Christmas is come for to keep open house
He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse
Then come, boys, and welcome of diet the chief
Plum pudding, goose, capon, mince pies and roast beef.
The times were ne'er good since Old Christmas was fled
And all hospitality hath been so dead
No mirth at our festivals late did appear
They scarcely would part with a cup of good beer
But now you shall have for the ease of your grief
Plum pudding, goose, capon, mince pies and roast beef.
The butler, the baker, they now may be glad
The times they are mended, though they have been bad
The brewer, he likewise may be of good cheer
He shall have good trading for ale and strong beer
All trades shall be jolly, and have for relief
Plum pudding, goose, capon, mince pies and roast beef.
The holly and ivy about the walls wind
And show that we ought to our neighbors be kind
Inviting each other for pastime and sport
And where we best fare, there we most do resort
We fail not of victuals, and that of the chief
Plum pudding, goose, capon, mince pies and roast beef.
Young gallants and ladies shall foot it along
Each room in the house to the music shall throng
Whilst jolly carouses about they shall pass
And each country swain trip about with his lass
Meantime goes the caterer to fetch in the chief
Plum pudding, goose, capon, mince pies and roast beef.
Then well may we welcome Old Christmas to town
Who brings us good cheer, and good liquor so brown
To pass the cold winter away with delight
We feast it all day, and we frolic all night
Both hunger and cold we keep out with relief,
With plum pudding, goose, capon, mince pies and roast beef.
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