Anonymous

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      ENGLISH BALLAD

In Dessexshire as it befell
A farmer there as I knew well
On a Christmas day as it happened so
Down in the meadows he went to plough.

As he was a ploughing on in so fast
Our Savior Christ came by at last;
He said, O man, why dost thou plough
So hard as it do blow and snow?

The man he answered the Lord with speed,
For to work we have great need,
If we wasn’t to work all on that day
We should want some other way.

For his hands did tremble and pass to and fro,
He ran so fast that he could not plough;
And the ground did open and let him in
Before he could repent his sin.

His wife and children were out at play;
And all the world consumed at last.
And his beasts and cattle all died away
For breaking of the Lord’s birthday.