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Down in yon forest

By Anonymous (1750)

Lyrics

1. Down in yon forest there stands a hall:
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring:
It's covered all over with purple and pall:
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything.

2 In that hall there stands a bed:
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring:
It's covered all over with scarlet so red:
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything.

3 At the bed-side there lies a stone:
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring:
Which the sweet Virgin Mary knelt upon:
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything.

4 Under that bed there runs a flood:
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring:
The one half runs water, the other runs blood:
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything.

5 At the bed's foot there grows a thorn:
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring:
Which ever blows blossom since he was born:
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything.

6 Over that bed the moon shines bright:
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring:
Denoting our Saviour was born this night:
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything.
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Matthew 27:51

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Hymn scripture: Matthew 27:51

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About This Hymn

“Down in Yon Forest” is a traditional English carol dating back to the Renaissance era. It is an adaptation of the earlier Corpus Christi Carol, which was first recorded in the early 16th century. The carol's imagery and themes are deeply rooted in Christian symbolism, depicting scenes that intertwine the Nativity and the Passion of Christ. The lyrics describe a hall adorned with purple and pall, a bed stained with red, a stone upon which the Virgin Mary knelt, and a flood of water and blood beneath the bed all elements that evoke the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus.

Over time, the carol has been reinterpreted, with some versions focusing more on the Nativity, while others retain the original themes of Christ's Passion. The song has been recorded by various artists, including Joan Baez and Bruce Cockburn, and has been arranged by composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams and John Rutter. Its haunting melody and profound lyrics continue to resonate with audiences, making it a cherished piece in the Christmas carol repertoire.

From the Dictionary of Hymnology

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A beautiful land by faith I see Hymn

This hymn on heaven was given anonymously in the American Shining Star, New York, 1862, where it was entitled “The beautiful land.” It is widely used in America and appears in a few English Sunday school books.

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Alles ist an Gottes Segen Hymn

An anonymous German hymn on Christian faith and patience, dating from about 1673. Miss Winkworth translated it as “All things hang on our possessing.”

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A mourning class, a vacant seat Hymn

An anonymous hymn on the death of a scholar, first printed in the American Union Hymns of 1835. It is widely used in America but only in a few British Sunday school books.

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Browse the full Dictionary of Hymnology →

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