midnight
He neither shall be rocked In silver nor in gold , But in the wooden manger That lieth on the mould . He neither shall be washen With white wine nor with red , But with the fair spring water That on you shall be shed . He neither shall be clothed In purple nor in pall , But in the fair white linen That usen babies all . ' As Joseph was a-walking Thus did the angel sing , And Mary 's Son at midnight Was born to be our King . Then be you glad , good people , At this time of the year ; And light you up your candles , For His star it shineth clear . '' `` There , Edmunde Classicaster , '' said Raleigh , `` does not that simple strain go nearer to the heart of him who wrote ` The Shepherd 's Calendar , ' than all artificial and outlandish ` Wote ye why his mother with a veil hath covered his face ? ' Why dost not answer , man ? ''