ZOMG! The War on Christmas dates back to 1645!!

[eppur_se_muova]

(I know, too late for this year, but I stumbled across this gem...)

http://www.lukehistory.com/ballads/worldup.html

The text of this ballad is drawn from the Thomason Tracts (669. f. 10 (47)), where it is dated 8 April 1646. In it, the author decries the passing of all the favorite English Christmas traditions which he feels were killed at the Battle of Naseby in 1645.

The World Turned Upside Down
To the Tune of, When the King enioys his own again.

Listen to me and you shall hear, news hath not been this thousand year:
Since Herod, Caesar, and many more, you never heard the like before.
Holy-dayes are despis'd, new fashions are devis'd.
Old Christmas is kickt out of Town.
Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turn'd upside down.

The wise men did rejoyce to see our Savior Christs Nativity:
The Angels did good tidings bring, the Sheepheards did rejoyce and sing.
Let all honest men, take example by them.
Why should we from good Laws be bound?
Yet let's be content, &c.

Command is given, we must obey, and quite forget old Christmas day:
Kill a thousand men, or a Town regain, we will give thanks and praise amain.
The wine pot shall clinke, we will feast and drinke.
And then strange motions will abound.
Yet let's be content, &c.

Our Lords and Knights, and Gentry too, doe mean old fashions to forgoe:
They set a porter at the gate, that none must enter in thereat.
They count it a sin, when poor people come in.
Hospitality it selfe is drown'd.
Yet let's be content, &c.

The serving men doe sit and whine, and thinke it long ere dinner time:
The Butler's still out of the way, or else my Lady keeps the key,
The poor old cook, in the larder doth look,
Where is no goodnesse to be found,
Yet let's be content, &c.

To conclude, I'le tell you news that's right, Christmas was kil'd at Naseby fight:
Charity was slain at that same time, Jack Tell troth too, a friend of mine,
Likewise then did die, rost beef and shred pie,
Pig, Goose and Capon no quarter found.
Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turn'd upside down.

[LisaM]

1. Well the Puritans banished Christmas....

I wonder if O'Reilly knows that those who sailed on the Mayflower felt that it was a pagan holiday?

[lurky]

2. Damn secularists!

Oh, wait....

[HereSince1628]

3. Yep, but the Puritans weren't exactly model Xristians.

My 11th great grandfather was regularly fined by the good folks of Southampton for using bad language.

[LisaM]

4. Well my SO had people on BOTH sides in the Salem witch trials

One accused, one accusor! Rich in irony as it would be, I don't think it was a one on one accusation and his ancestor was not hanged.

HereSince1635......

[HereSince1628]

5. Oh, we don't talk about Salem in "good company" so GIVE ME THE DETAILS!

Hahahahah!

[LisaM]

7. One of them was Samuel Shattuck

He accused Bridget Bishop. Interestingly, SO's great-grandmother wrote an account of her missionary life in China and referenced her Puritan Shattuck ancestors (without a blush of shame I might add!)

The accused one was John Alden, who was wealthy - when the girls accused someone with influence they were generally politely told that they were probably mistaken.

Sidenote: he was the son of "Speak for yourself, John" Alden and Priscilla Mullins. Their family still has lots of Priscillas, Aldens, and Johns in it!

I went to Danvers a few years ago and it was fascinating - and ghost ridden.

[HereSince1628]

10. Cool. n/t

[Lint Head]

8. Bill Orally has no awareness or perspective of history of

any kind. :dem:

[Jed Dilligan]

6. Christmas was a bone that the Church threw to pagans

after centuries of trying to stop their midwinter festivals. Cromwell's "zero tolerance" policy worked about as well as our War on Drugs...

[C_U_L8R]

9. I knew O'Reilly was an old fart

but not THAT old. : - )