Brought tidings of salvation down.

'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale

'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;

A Christmas gambol oft could cheer

The poor man's heart through half the year."

[!--Note--]

3 ([return])
Ritson and Bishop Percy speak of different ages: one describing the rise and the other the decline of minstrelsy.

[!--Note--]

4 ([return])
The song makes Arthur record his own death.

[!--Note--]