Original recording from the chieftain's album "the bells of dublin" 

All the streets are filled with laughter and light 
And the music of the season 
And the merchants' windows are all bright 
With the faces of the children 
And the families hurrying to their homes 
As the sky darkens and freezes 
They'll be gathering around the hearths and tales 
Giving thanks for all god's graces 
And the birth of the rebel jesus 

Well they call him by the prince of peace 
And they call him by the savior 
And they pray to him upon the seas 
And in every bold endeavor 
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold 
And their faith in him increases 
But they've turned the nature that I worshipped in 
From a temple to a robber's den 
In the words of the rebel jesus 

We guard our world with locks and guns 
And we guard our fine possessions 
And once a year when christmas comes 
We give to our relations 
And perhaps we give a little to the poor 
If the generosity should seize us 
But if any one of us should interfere 
In the business of why they are poor 
They get the same as the rebel jesus 

But please forgive me if I seem 
To take the tone of judgement 
For I've no wish to come between 
This day and your enjoyment 
In this life of hardship and of earthly toil 
We have need for anything that frees us 
So I bid you pleasure 
And I bid you cheer 
From a heathen and a pagan 
On the side of the rebel jesus.