The Holy Well

As it fell out one May morning
And upon bright holiday
Sweet Jesus asked of his dear mother
If he might go and play

"To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go
And to play now get you gone
And let me hear of no complaint
At night when you come home."

Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town
As far as the Holy Well
And there did see as fine children
As any tongue can tell

He said, "God bless you every one
And your bodies Christ save and see
And now little children, I'll play with you
And you shall play with me."

But they made answer to him "No
Thou art meaner than us all
Thou art but a simple fair maid's child
Born in an ox's stall

Sweet Jesus turned him round about
Nor laughed nor smiled nor spoke
But the tears came trickling from his eyes
Like waters from the rock

Sweet Jesus turned himself about
To his mother's home went he
And said, “I have been down in yonder town
As after you may see

I said "God bless you every one
And your bodies Christ save and see
And now little children, I'll play with you
And you shall play with me

"But they made answer to me 'No,'
They were lords and ladies sons
And I the meanest of them all
Born in an ox's stall."

“Sweet Jesus, go down to yonder town
As far as the Holy Well
And take away those sinful souls
And dip them deep in Hell.”

“Nay, nay,” sweet Jesus smiled and said
“Nay, nay, that may not be;
There are too many sinful souls
Crying out for the help of me.”

Then up and spoke the angel Gabriel
Upon a good set steven
“Although you're but a maiden's child
You are the King of heaven.”