Obscure Carols: Truth from Above

Rather than focus on the Christmas account in Luke 2, this carol starts with creation and lays the foundation for the coming Messiah.  There is no mention in this carol of shepherds, wise men, angels, mangers, stables, inns, etc.  Rather, the focus is on why we need a Savior.

I was able to locate nine verses of this carol.  Most settings do not use all of them.

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This is the truth sent from above
The truth of God, the God of love
Therefore don't turn me from your door
But hearken will both rich and poor

The first thing that I do relate
Is that God did man create
The next thing which to you I'll tell
Woman was made with man to dwell

And after that, 'twas God's own choice
To place them both in Paradise,
There to remain of evil free
Except they ate of such a tree.

But they did eat, which was a sin,
And so their ruin did begin,
Ruined themselves, both you and me,
And all of their posterity.

Thus we were heirs to endless woes
Till God and Lord did interpose
And so a promise soon did run
That He would redeem us by His Son

And at that season of the year
Our blessed Redeemer did appear
He here did live and here did preach
And many thousands he did teach

Thus He in love to us behaved
To show us how we must be saved
And if you want to know the way
Be pleased to hear what He did say

Go preach the Gospel new, He said,
To all the nations that are made
And he that does believe in me,
From all his sins I’ll set him free.

God grant to all within this place
True saving faith—that special grace,
Which to His people doth belong—
And thus I close my Christmas song.

0:00 Creator Alme Siderum (Plainsong Chant)

1:28 Truth From Above (Setting by Ralph Vaughan Williams)

3:49 An Early Tree (Setting by William Byrd)