A Tale of the Olden Time

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I'll tell you a tale of the olden time

Author: Gerard Moultrie, 1829-1885
Tune: [I'll tell you a tale of the olden time]
Published in 2 hymnals

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Representative Text

1. I’ll tell you a tale of the olden time,
While the yule log burns bright, and the church bells chime.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
There sate a fair princess in joy on her throne,
And there in her arms her Infant was shown:
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

2. The beasts of the meadows bowed down their head
All under the moonlight so softly shed.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
They worshipped the King of Creation there
In the arms of the mother so passing fair.
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

3. O who are these masters of ancient mould?
O these are the shepherds, the lords of the fold;
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
They have heard from the sky of the birth of their King,
They have heard all the sky with the harmony ring.
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

4. The kings of the east in number three,
All worship the Monarch of high degree;
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Their tribute they offer, their heads they bow,
And clearer and clearer is echoing now,
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

5. For all the zenith is blazing with light,
And musical voices enrapture the night:
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
O this is the carol of peace and goodwill
From the voices celestial, the zenith that fill;
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

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Author: Gerard Moultrie, 1829-1885

Moultrie, Gerard, M.A., son of the Rev. John Moultrie, was born at Rugby Rectory, Sept. 16, 1829, and educated at Rugby and Exeter College, Oxford (B.A. 1851, M.A. 1856). Taking Holy Orders, he became Third Master and Chaplain in Shrewsbury School; Chaplain to the Dowager Marchioness of Londonderry, 1855-59; curate of Brightwaltham, 1859; and of Brinfield, Berks, 1860; Chaplain of the Donative of Barrow Gurney, Bristol, 1864: Vicar of Southleigh, 1869, and Warden of St. James's College, Southleigh,1873. He died April 25, 1885. His publications include: 1) The Primer set forth at large for the use of the Faithful. In Family and Private Prayer. Edited from the Post Reformation editions, 1864. (2) Hymns and Lyrics for the Seasons and Saint… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	I'll tell you a tale of the olden time
Title:	A Tale of the Olden Time
Author:	Gerard Moultrie, 1829-1885
Source:	Carols Old and Carols New, by Charles L. Hutchins (Boston, Massachusetts: Parish Choir, 1916), number 683
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain