On Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve the bells were rung;

On Christmas Eve the mass was sung;

That only night, in all the year,

Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.

The damsel donned her kirtle sheen;

The hall was dressed with holly green;

Forth to the wood did merry-men go,

To gather in the mistletoe.

Then opened wide the baron's hall

To vassal, tenant, serf, and all;

Power laid his rod of rule aside,

And Ceremony doffed his pride.