The Lord at first did Adam make
Out of the dust and clay,
And in his nostrils breathed life,
E'en as the Scriptures say.
And then in Eden's paradise
He placed him to dwell,
That he within it should remain,
To dress and keep it well.
Refrain:
Now let good Christians all begin
A holier life to live,
And to rejoice and merry be,
For this is Christmas Eve.
And thus within the garden he
Was set, therein to stay;
And in commandment unto him
These words the Lord did say:
"The fruit which in the garden grows
To thee shall be for meat,
Except the tree in midst thereof
Of which thou shall not eat."
"For in the day thou shalt it touch
Or know it then come nigh,
And if that thou dost eat thereof,
Then thou shalt surely die."
But Adam he did take no heed
Unto that only thing,
But did transgress God's holy law,
And so was wrapt in sin.
Now mark the goodness of the Lord,
Which He to mankind bore;
His mercy soon He did extend,
Lost man for to restore:
And therefore to redeem our souls
From death and hell and thrall,
He said His own dear son should be
The Saviour of us all.
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