A Lyke-Wake Dirge

THIS ae nighte, this ae nighte,
   --Every nighte and alle,
Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,
   And Christe receive thy saule.

When thou from hence away art past,
   --Every nighte and alle,
To Whinny-muir thou com'st at last;
   And Christe receive thy saule.

If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon,
   --Every nighte and alle,
Sit thee down and put them on;
   And Christe receive thy saule.

If hosen and shoon thou ne'er gav'st nane
   --Every nighte and alle,
The whinnes sall prick thee to the bare bane;
   And Christe receive thy saule.

From Whinny-muir when thou may'st pass,
   --Every nighte and alle,
To Brig o' Dread thou com'st at last;
   And Christe receive thy saule.

From Brig o' Dread when thou may'st pass,
   --Every nighte and alle,
To Purgatory fire thou com'st at last;
   And Christe receive thy saule.

If ever thou gavest meat or drink,
   --Every nighte and alle,
The fire sall never make thee shrink;
   And Christe receive thy saule.

If meat or drink thou ne'er gav'st nane,
   --Every nighte and alle,
The fire will burn thee to the bare bane;
   And Christe receive thy saule.

This ae nighte, this ae nighte,
   --Every nighte and alle,
Fire and fleet and candle-lighte,
   And Christe receive thy saule.

Anonymous :
http://www.poemhunter.com/
  • Back to the poem's page
    http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-lyke-wake-dirge/
  • Reader comments on the poem A Lyke-Wake Dirge
    http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-lyke-wake-dirge/comments.asp
  • More information about the poet Anonymous
    http://www.poemhunter.com/anonymous/biography/