1. This is the truth sent from above, The truth of God, the God of love: Therefore don't turn me from your door, But hearken all, both rich and poor. 2. The first thing which I do relate Is that God did man create, The next thing which to you I'll tell, Woman was made with man to dwell. 3. Then, after this, 'twas God's own choice To place them both in Paradise, There to remain, from evil free, Except they ate of such a tree. 4. And they did eat, which was a sin, And thus their ruin did begin. Ruined themselves, both you and me, And all of their posterity. 5. Thus we were heirs to endless woes, Till God the Lord did interpose, And so a promise soon did run, That he would redeem us by his Son. 6. And at this season of the year Our blest Redeemer did appear, And here did live, and here did preach, and many thousands he did teach. 7. Thus he in love to us behaved, To show us how we must be saved; And if you want to know the way, Be pleased to hear what he did say: 8. "Go preach the Gospel," now he said, "To all the nations that are made! And he that does believe on me, From all his sins I'll set him free." 9. O seek! O seek of God above That saving faith that works by love! And, if he's pleased to grant thee this, Thou'rt sure to have eternal bliss. 10. God grant to all within this place True saving faith, that special grace Which to his people doth belong: And thus I close my Christmas song. Sources According to Cecil J. Sharp, English Folk-Carols (London: Novello & Co., Ltd., 1911), pp. 46-7, there are six verses in missing from those produced here. These verses are reproduced by Ancient Grove Music ([1]).