The Wexford Carol (Carúl Loch Garman, Carúl Inis Córthaidh) is thought to be the oldest Irish Carol and one of, if not the oldest known Christian carols. It's roots lay in the late 11th or early 12th century Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yxDZjg_Igoc
Good people all, this Christmas time, consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done, in sending his beloved son
With Mary holy we should pray, to God with love this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem upon that morn, there was a blessed Messiah born
The night before that happy tide, the noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down, to find a lodging in the town
But mark right well what came to pass, from every door repelled, alas
As was foretold, their refuge all, was but a humble ox's stall
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep, their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God's angel did appear, which put the shepherds in great fear
Arise and go, the angels said, to Bethlehem, be not afraid
For there you'll find, this happy morn, a princely babe, sweet Jesus, born
With thankful heart and joyful mind, the shepherds went the babe to find
And as God's angel had foretold, they did our Saviour Christ behold
Within a manger he was laid, and by his side a virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of Life, who came on earth to end all strife
There were three wise men from afar, directed by a glorious star
And on they wandered night and day, until they came where Jesus lay
And when they came unto that place, where our beloved Messiah lay
They humbly cast them at his feet, with gifts of gold and incense sweet.
