THE OLD YEAR NOW AWAY IS FLED
England, 17th Century
TUNE:
Greensleves
The old year now away is fled,
The new year it is en-ter-ed;
Then let us all our sins down tread,
And joyfully all appear.
Let's merry be this day,
And let us run with sport and play,
Hang sorrow, cast care away
God send us a merry new year!
Christ's circumcision this day we keep,
Who for our sins did often weep;
His hands and feet were wounded deep,
His blessed side with a spear;
His head they crowned with thorn,
And at him they did laugh and scorn,
Who saving our souls was born.
God send us a merry new year!
And now with new year's gifts each friend
Unto each other they do send;
God grant we may our lives amend,
That truth may now appear.
Snake-like cast off your skin
Of evil thoughts and wicked sin,
And pure this year begin --
God send us a merry new year!