This carol ballad should be associated with " The Bitter Withy " and the " Cherry Tree Carol. " It is old and widely known in England. See JFSS , iv:26, v:i, for several versions and detailed discussion.
Text, William Howitt, Rural Life in England .
1.

Honour the leaves, and the leaves of life
Upon this blest holiday,
When Jesus asked His mother dear,
Whether He might go to play.

2.

" To play! to play! " said the blessed Mary,
" To play, then get you gone;
And see there be no complaint of you,
At night when you come home. "

3.

Sweet Jesus, He ran into yonder town,
As far as the Holy well,
And there He saw three as fine children
As ever eyes beheld,

4.

He said, " God bless you every one,
And sweet may your sleep be;
And now, little children, I'll play with you,
And you shall play with me. "

5.

" Nay, nay, we are lords' and ladies' sons,
Thou art meaner than us all;
Thou art but a silly fair maid's child,
Born in an oxen's stall. "

6.

Sweet Jesus He turned himself about,
Neither laugh'd, nor smiled, nor spoke,
But the tears trickled down His pretty little eyes,
Like waters from the rock.

7.

Sweet Jesus He ran to His mother dear,
As fast as He could run:
" O mother, I saw three as fine children,
As ever were eyes set on,

8.

" I said, " God bless you every one,
And sweet may your sleep be —
And now little children, I'll play with you,
And you shall play with me."

9.

" " Nay," said they, " we're lords" and ladies' sons,
Thou art meaner than us all,
For Thou art but a poor fair maid's child,
Born in an oxen's stall,' "

10.

" Then, " said she, " go down to yonder town,
As far as the Holy well,
And there take up those infants' souls,
And dip them deep in hell. "

11.

" O no! O no! " sweet Jesus cried,
" O no! that never can be;
For there are many of those infants' souls
Crying out for the help of Me. "