This very beautiful carol was sung several years in succession by Christmas Mummers also called Tipteers or Tipteerers in Sussex. This name is still unexplained in the dialect dictionaries. Information on The Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol is available with Christmas Carnivals.
Background
Sung by Mummers in the neighborhood of Horsham around 1878- 1881, the Mummers clustered together, wooden swords in hand, at the close of their play St George and the Turk and sang wholly unconscious of the contrast between the solemnity of the carol and the grotesqueness of their appearance. They had worn dresses of colored calico and chimney pot hats trimmed with shreds of ribbon, gaudy paper fringes and ornaments.
Lyrics
[Words and music: English traditional.
Source: Lucy E Broadwood ed. English Traditional Songs and Carols.]
- When righteous Joseph wedded was
Unto a virtuous (virgin) maid
A glorious Angel from heaven came
Unto that virtuous (virgin) maid.
- O mortal man, remember well
When Christ our Lord was born
He was crucified betwixt two thieves
And crowned with the thorn.
- O mortal man, remember well
When Christ died on the rood
'Twas for our sins and wicked ways
Christ shed his precious blood.
- O mortal man, remember well
When Christ was wrapped in clay
He was taken to a sepulcher
Where no man ever lay.
Check out Christmas Carnivals The Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol for the complete song.
The Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol
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