WHEN Cæsar did the sceptre sway,
Of Roman state God’s word did say,
That all the world should out of hand,
Be taxed by his great command.
Noel, noel, we may rejoice
To hear the angel Gabriel’s voice—Noel, noel.
In David’s city, in Bethlehem,
Great store of people thither came,
According to the king’s decree,