Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.
Exodus 23:16
Words: J. Bownes, in Carols Old and Carols New, edited by Charles L. Hutchins (Boston, Massachusetts: Parish Choir, 1916), number 454.
Music: Sicilian Mariners from The European Magazine and London Review, November 1792 (🔊 
).
Alternate Tune:
)If you know Bownes’ full name, or where to get a good photo of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you send us an e-mail?
Hearken to the thankful reapers,
Bearing to the garner floor,
With their voices singing gladness,
Sheaves of gold, mellow store;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Praise to God forevermore.
First the blade from furrow springing
Grow into the verdant ear,
Which in time was gilded, ripened
With the seasons of the year;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Lord, Thy thankful reapers hear.
Praise we then the Lord Almighty,
Sitting on His throne on high,
Day by day He guards and feeds us,
Always listens to our cry;
Folds us in His arms of mercy,
Gives us Heaven when we die.