The Olde Year Now Away is Fled

A Carol for New Year's Day
Traditional English. Sung to the tune of  "Greensleeves" since at least 1642.

1. The old yeare now away is fled,
The new year it is entered;
Then let us all our sins downe tread,
    And joyfully all appeare.
Let's merry be this holy day,
And let us run with sport and play,
Hang sorrow, let's cast care away
    God send us a merry new yeare!

2. For Christ's circumcision this day we keep,
Who for our sins did often weep;
His hands and feet were wounded deep,
    And his blessed side, with a spear.
His head they crowned then with thorn,
And at him they did laugh and scorn,
Who for to save our souls was born;
    God send us a happy New Year!

3. And now with New-Year's gifts each friend
Unto each other they do send;
God grant we may our lives amend,
    And that truth may now appear.
Now like the snake cast off your skin
Of evil thoughts and wicked sin,
And to amend this new year begin:
    God send us a merry new year!

4. And now let all the company
In friendly manner all agree,
For we are here welcome all may see
    Unto this jolly good cheere.
I thanke my master and my dame,
The which are founders of the same,
To eat and drinke now is no shame:
    God send us a happy new year!

5. Come lads and lasses every one,
Jack, Tom, Dick, Bess, Mary and Joan,
Let's cut the meat unto the bone,
    For welcome you need not fear.
And here for good liquor you shall not lack,
It will whet my brains and strengthen my back;
This jolly good cheer it must go to wrack:
    God send us a happy new year!

6. Come, give's more liquor when I do call,
I'll drink to each one in this hall,
I hope that so loud I must not bawl,
    So unto me lend an ear.
Good fortune to my master send,
And to our dame which is our friend,
Lord bless us all, and so I end:
    God send us a happy new year!