This is a traditional English song about the human condition, patience and being content with one's place. It refers to the biblical stories of Job, and Lazarus and Dives (Luke 16:19-32).
The author is unknown. The song was collected by Sabine Baring-Gould from John Dingle of Coryton on the 12th August 1904.
The tune was described as being noted down by his at-the-time junior colleague song-collector, Cecil Sharp (1859–1924) - although Sharp in a later publication notes that he got the words and tune from Mrs. Eliza Woodberry, of Ash Priors, and that he has heard perhaps four different variations of the tune and words.
It was published in several editions of the book Folk Songs from Somerset. Set II. (edited by Sharp, in at least 1908 and 1911. Also, It was published in broadsides during the 19th century as under titles "One God [has] made us all", "Poverty and Contentment", and as "Job, the Patient Man". Some more recent publications and performances have used the title Come all You Faithful Christian Folk.
Downloads
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Examples
Singer with orchestral instruments
Singer, self-accompanied on guitar
Unaccompanied singer, professional recording
Lyrics
1 Come all you worthy ChristiansThat dwell upon this land,
Don't spend your time in rioting:
Remember you're but man.
Be watchful for your latter end;
Be ready when you're called.
There are many changes in this world;
Some rise while others fall.
2 Now, Job he was a patient man,
The richest in the East :
When he was brought to poverty,
His sorrows soon increased.
He bore them all most patiently;
From sin he did refrain;
He always trusted in the Lord;
He soon got rich again.
3 Come all you worthy Christians
That are so very poor,
Remember how poor Lazarus
Lay at the rich man's door,
While begging of the crumbs of bread
That from his table fell.
The Scriptures do inform us all
That in heaven he doth dwell.
4 The time, alas, it soon will come
When parted we shall be;
But all the difference it will make
Is in joy and misery.
And we must give a strict account
Of great as well as small:
Believe me, now, dear Christian friends,
That God will judge us all.
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