On Christmas Day It Happened So

A grim encounter with a merciless "Sweet Jesus Himself".... this was a favourite of Esther Smith, a gypsy traveller who sang it to both Vaughan Williams and Ella Mary Leather, near Weobley, Herefordshire in 1912. Her daughter May Bradley continued to sing it after her. It has a beautiful tune, and although the consequences of ploughing on Christmas Day are pretty devastating, something about the whole idea is darkly amusing.... lyrics On Christmas Day it happened so Down to the meadows for to plough, As we were ploughing all so fast Up came sweet Jesus himself at last. “Oh man, oh man, why do you plough So hard upon the Lord's birthday?” The farmer answered him with speed, "To plough this day we have great need.” His arms did quaver to and fro, His arms did quaver, he could not plough. The ground did open and took him in Before he could repent his sin. His wife and children have no place, His beasts and cattle pine and die. His beasts and cattle pine away For the breaking of the Lord's birthday. recorded when Kate could barely breathe with a heavy Christmas cold ....