A Carol

"A Burgher of the Free State" - 1900
"The Tree of Justice" - 1910


OUR Lord Who did the Ox command
To kneel to Judah's King,
He binds His frost upon the land,
To ripen it for spring€”
To ripen it for spring, good sirs,
According to His Word€”
Which well must be, as you can see€”
And who shall judge the Lord?

When we poor fenners skate the ice
Or shiver on the wold,
We hear the cry of a single tree
That breaks her heart in the cold€”
That breaks her heart in the cold, good sirs,
And rendeth by the board€”
Which well must be, as you can see€”
And who shall judge the Lord?

Her wood is crazed and little worth
Excepting as to burn,
So we may warm and make our mirth
Until the spring return€”
Until the spring return, good sirs,
When Christians walk abroad
Which well must be, as ye can see€”
And who shall judge the Lord?

God bless the master of this house
And all who sleep therein
And guard the fens from pirate folk
And keep us from all sin!
To walk in honesty, good sirs,
Of thought and deed and word
Which shall befriend our latter end,
And who shall judge the Lord.