This Have I Done for My True Love
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day,
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance.
Sing oh my love, oh my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love.
Then was I born of a virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance:
Thus was I knit to man's nature
To call my true love to my dance.
Sing oh my love...
In a manger laid and wrapp'd I was,
So very poor this was my chance,
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass,
To call my true love to my dance.
Sing oh my love...
Then afterwards baptised I was
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father's voice heard from above,
To call my true love to my dance.
Sing oh my love...
Into the desert I was led,
Where I fasted without substance
The Devil bade me make stones my bread,
To have me break my true love's dance.
Sing oh my love...
The Jews on me they made great suit,
And with me made great variance,
Because they loved darkness better than light,
To call my true love to my dance.
Sing oh my love...
For thirty pence Judas me sold,
His covetousness for to advance:
Mark whom I kiss, the same do hold!
The same is he shall lead the dance.
Sing oh my love...
Before Pilate the Jews me brought,
When Barabbas had deliverance
They scourged me and set me at nought,
Judged me to die to lead the dance.
Sing oh my love...
When on the cross hanged I was,
Where a spear my heart did glance,
There issued forth both water and blood,
To call my true love to my dance.
Sing oh my love...
Then down to hell I took my way,
For my true love's deliverance,
And rose again on the third day,
Up to my true love and the dance.
Sing oh my love...
Then up to heav'n I did ascend,
Where now I dwell in sure substance
On the right hand of God, that man
May come unto the general dance.
Sing oh my love...