This Have I Done for My True Love

I had known of the Christmas song “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” for a while, but this year I really fell in love with it. The carol highlights how the whole of Christ’s life is an invitation calling out to the beloved. Below are the words of the carol that pertain to Christmas (and there are many more after) and a recording of the King’s College Choir singing John Gardner’s setting.

1. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day;
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance;

Chorus
Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love

2. Then was I born of a virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance
Thus was I knit to man’s nature
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus

3. In a manger laid, and wrapped I was
So very poor, this was my chance
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus

4. Then afterwards baptized I was;
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father’s voice heard from above,
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus