The following ditty can be found in The Four Men: Belloc's imaginary ramble across the, then, largely unspoilt Sussex of 1902. The men in question represent different aspects of HB's character. Grizzlebeard for some, but not for me, represents the least appealing facet of Belloc's personality. His alternative Xmas song represents, in my view, one of the funniest things that he wrote. Anyhow, if you have crossed anyone off your Xmas card list this year you might consider the following alternative festive greeting:
Noël! Noël! Noël! Noël!
A Catholic tale have I to tell!
And a Christian song have I to sing
While all the bells in Arundel ring.
I pray good beef and I pray good beer
This holy night of all the year,
But I pay detestable drink for them
That give no honour to Bethlehem.
May all good fellows that here agree
Drink Audit Ale in heaven with me
And may all my enemies go to hell!
Noël! Noël! Noël! Noël!
May all my enemies go to hell!
Noël! Noël!
A Catholic tale have I to tell!
And a Christian song have I to sing
While all the bells in Arundel ring.
I pray good beef and I pray good beer
This holy night of all the year,
But I pay detestable drink for them
That give no honour to Bethlehem.
May all good fellows that here agree
Drink Audit Ale in heaven with me
And may all my enemies go to hell!
Noël! Noël! Noël! Noël!
May all my enemies go to hell!
Noël! Noël!
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