A keepèn up o' Chris'mas.

We plaÿ'd at forfeits, an' we spun

The trencher roun', an' meäde such fun!

An' had a geäme o' dree-ceärd loo,

An' then begun to hunt the shoe.

An' all the wold vo'k zittèn near,

A-chattèn roun' the vier pleäce,

Did smile in woone another's feäce.

An' sheäke right hands wi' hearty cheer,

An' let their left hands spill their beer,