The Vigil
Tune: Annue Christe (CH3 608 )

Mary :	Noo, Joseph, steek that door sae ticht
		nae win can blaw:
		Shut out the bleck an cauldrife nicht
		until the daw.
Joseph:	The door is barred: O Mary quine,
		I canna close
		The road at traivels fae the toun
		an onwart goes.

2	M.	Noo, Joseph, tie that muckle ox
				tae block an gaird
			The faistened door: the oor is late,
				an I am feared.
	J.	The ox is tied: O Mary quine,
				I canna chyne
			The beast ayont the stable waa
				at bides its time.

3	M.	Noo, Joseph, hap the sleepy bairn
				An him disguise
			Tae hide him fae the rovin een
				o faes or spies.
	J.	The bairn is hid: O Mary quine,
				I canna hide
			The Man faan he wull some day be
				far fae my side.

4	M.	Noo, Joseph, sing a happie sang
				or fussle sweet
			Tae droon the scraich my son wid mak
				sud he sud greet.
	J.	The sang is lichtsome: O Mary quine,
				I canna droon
			The voice that cairries far fae here
				the hail warld roon.

5	M.	Noo, Joseph, redd yer dozent pow
				o thochts o sleep,
			For ye maun wake an watch wi me:
				the vigil keep.
	J.	Nae sleep for me: O Mary quine,
				I canna dream
			Until the story here begun
				is telt an deen.

6	M.	Noo, Joseph, tell me we’ll be sauf
				an free o hairm
			Tell me at skaith wull nivver come
				upo my bairn.
	J.	Yer bairn is sauf: O Mary quine
				I canna say
			Fat He wull face or warsle wi
				sum ither day.

David Ogston