A Virgin unspotted (Traditional)
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- CPDL #1678: GIF .
- Editor: Christopher R. Baker - Online Christmas Songbook (added 2000-11-27). Score information: kbytes Copyright: other
- Edition notes: John Wyeth, Rev. Elkanah Kelsey Dare, arrangers
General Information
Title: Christmas Hymn (A Virgin Unspotted)
Composer: Traditional
Number of voices: 3vv Voicing: STB
Genre: Sacred, Carols
Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer , Christmas Carols New and Old, First Series (London: Novello, Ewer & Co., ca 1871), Carol #3; also in Repository of Sacred Music (1820)
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
- 1.
- A Virgin unspotted, the prophet foretold,
- Should bring forth a Savior, which now we behold.
- To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,
- Which Adam's transgression had wrapped us in.
- Chorus
- Aye and therefore be merry, set sorrow aside,
- Christ Jesus, our Savior, was born on this tide.
- 2.
- At Bethlehem city in Jewry, it was
- That Joseph and Mary together did pass,
- Alt for to be taxed with many one more,
- Great Cesar commanded the same should be so. Chorus
- 3.
- But when they had entered the city so fair,
- A number of people so mighty was there,
- That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
- Could find in the inn there no lodging at all. Chorus
- 4.
- Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,
- Where horses and asses they used for to tie:
- Their lodging so simple they took it no scorn,
- But against the next morning our Saviour was born. Chorus
- 5.
- The King of all Kings to this world being brought,
- Small store of fine linen to wrap Him was sought,
- But when she had swaddled her young Son so sweet,
- Within an ox manger she laid Him to sleep. Chorus
- 6.
- Then God sent an angel from Heaven so high,
- To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,
- And bade them no Longer in sorrow to stay,
- Because that our Saviour was born on this day. Chorus
- 7.
- Then presently after the shepherds did spy
- Vast numbers of Angels to stand in the sky;
- They joyfully talk and sweetly did sing,
- To God be all glory, our heavenly King. Chorus
- 8.
- To teach us humility all this was done,
- And learn we from thence haughty pride for to shun:
- A manger His cradle who came from above,
- The great God of mercy, of peace, and of love. Chorus
- Source: Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer , Christmas Carols New and Old, First Series (London: Novello, Ewer & Co., ca 1871), Carol #3.