1. Solo:
Down in yon forest there stands a hall:
Chorus:
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring:
Solo:
It's covered all over with purple and pall:
Chorus:
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything.

2. In that hall there stands a bed:
It's covered all over with scarlet so red:

3. At the bed-side there lies a stone:
Which the sweet Virgin Mary knelt upon:

4. Under that bed there runs a flood:
The one half runs water, the other runs blood:

5. At the bed's foot there grows a thorn:
Which ever blows blossom sincce he was born:

6. Over that bed the moon shines bright:
Denoting our Saviour was born this night

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: The Oxford Book of Carols, ed. Percy Dearmer, R. Vaughan Williams and Martin Shaw.

Notes:
From The Oxford Book of Carols, p. 127.

Melody and text taken from Mr. Hall, Castleton, Derbyshire, by R.l Vaughan Williams (Eight Traditional Carols), Stainer & Bell. Text unaltered except for (4) flood for 'river' (5) bed's foot for 'foot of the bed'.

Roud: 1523 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
Child:

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Related Songs:  Down in Yon Forest (1) (thematic)