Angelus ad virginem

1. Angelus ad virginem
Subintrans in conclave.
Virginis formidinum
Demulcens inquit "Ave."
Ave regina virginum,
Coeliteraeque dominum
Concipies
Et paries
Intacta,
Salutem hominum.
Tu porta coeli facta
Medella criminum.

2. Quomodo conciperem,
quae virum non cognovi?
Qualiter infringerem,
quae firma mente vovi?
'Spiritus sancti gratia
Perficiet haec omnia;
Ne timaes,
sed gaudeas,
secura,
quod castimonia
Manebit in te pura
Dei potentia.'

3. Ad haec virgo nobilis
Respondens inquit ei;
Ancilla sum humilis
Omnipotentis Dei.
Tibi coelesti nuntio,
Tanta secreti conscio,
Consentiens
Et cupiens
Videre
factum quod audio,
Parata sum parere
Dei consilio.

4. Angelus disparuit
Etstatim puellaris
Uterus intumuit
Vi partus salutaris.
Qui, circumdatus utero
Novem mensium numero,
Hinc Exiit
Et iniit
Conflictum,
Affigens humero
Crucem, qua dedit ictum
Hosti mortifero.

5. Eia Mater Domini,
Quae pacem reddidisti
Angelis et homini,
Cum Christum genuisti;
Tuem exora filium
Ut se nobis propitium
Exhibeat,
Et deleat
Peccata;
Praestans auxilium
Vita frui beta
Post hoc exsilium.

Text: Mediaeval 13th century Latin carol

Salva Nos, Stella Maris

Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

Que pura deum paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Et per rubum signaris
Nesciens viri thorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

O virgo specialis
Salva nos, stella maris
Sis nobis salutaris
Imperatrix caelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

Tu mater expers paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Manna celeste paris
Et panem angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

O parens expers maris
Salva nos, stella maris
Partu non violaris
Paris sanctum sanctorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Celeste manna paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Lux cecis, dux ignaris
Solamen angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

Joys Seven (England)

The first good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of one,
To see the blessed Jesus Christ
When he was first her son,
When he was first her son, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of two,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the lame to go.
To make the lame to go, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of three,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the blind to see.
To make the blind to see, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of four,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To read the Bible o'er.
To read the Bible o'er, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of five,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To bring the dead alive.
To bring the dead alive, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of six,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
Upon the crucifix.
Upon the crucifix, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The last good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of seven,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To wear the crown of heaven.
To wear the crown of heaven, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

Words & Music: Traditional English folk carol

Nowell sing we (Exortum Est in Love and Lysse) [setting 1]

Refrain

Nowell sing we, both all and some
Now Rex pacificus is come.

1. Exortum est in love and lysse,
Now Christ His grace He gan us gysse,
And with His body us bought to bliss,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

2. De Fructu ventris of Mary bright,
Both God and man in her alight,
Out of disease He did us dight,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

3. Puer natus to us was sent,
To bliss us bought, fro bale us blent,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

4. Lux fulgebit with love and light,
In Mary mild His pennon pight,
In her took kind with manly might,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

5. Gloria Tibi ay and bliss,
God unto His grace He us wysse,
The rent of heaven that we not miss,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

Mediaeval English Carol (15th century)

Nowell Sing We (Nowel Syng We) [setting 2]

Refrain:

Nowell sing we now all and some
For Rex Pacificus is come

1. In Bethlehem that fair city
A child was born of a maiden free
That shall a Lord and Prince be
a solis ortus cardine

2. Children were slain full great plenty
Jesu for the love of thee
Wherefore their solees saved be
Hostis Herodes impie

3. As the sun shineth through the glass
So Jesu in His Mother was
Thee to serve now grant us grace
O lux beata Trinitus

4. Now God is come to honour us
Now of Mary is born Jesus
Make we merry among us
Exultet coelum laudibus

Mediaeval English Carol (c. 15th century)

The Lord af first did Adam make

1. The Lord at first did Adam make
Out of the dust and clay,
And in his nostrils breathed life,
E'en as the Scriptures day.
And then in Eden's Paradise
He placed him to dwell,
That he within it should remain
To dress and keep it well.

Chorus.

Now let good Christians all begin
An holy life to live,
And to rejoice and merry be,
For this is Christmas Eve.

2. And then within the garden he
Commanded was to stay,
And unto him in commandment
These words the Lord did say:
The fruit which in the garden grows
To thee shall be for meet,
Except the tree in the midst thereof,
Of which thou shalt not east. (Chorus)

3. For in the day that thou shalt eat,
Or do it them come nigh;
For if that thou doth eat thereof
Then surely thou shalt die.
But Adam he did take no heed
Unto that only thing,
But did transgress God's holy law,
And so was wrapt in sin. (Chorus)

4. Now mark the goodness of the Lord
Which he for mankind bore,
His mercy soon he did extend,
Lost man for to restore;
And then for to redeem our souls
From death and hellish thrall,
He said his own dear son should be
The Saviour of us all. (Chorus)

5. Which promise now is brought to pass,
Christians, believe it well;
And by the coming of God's dear Son
We are redeemed from thrall.
Then if we truly do believe,
And do the thing aright;
Then by his merits we at last
Shall live in Heaven bright. (Chorus)

6. Now for the blessings we enjoy,
Which are from Heaven above,
Let us renounce all wickedness
And live in perfect love.
Then shall we do Christ's own command,
Ev'n his own written word,
And when we die in Heaven shall
Enjoy our living Lord. (Chorus)

7. And now the tide is nigh at hand,
Int' which our Saviour came;
Let us rejoice, and merry be,
In keeping of the same.
Let's feed the poor and hungry souls,
And such as do it crave;
Then when we die, in Heaven sure,
Our reward we shall have. (Chorus)

Historical information: Wikipedia / Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Traditional English Carol

Kommet, ihr Hirten (Traditional Bohemian Carol)

See also the English version: The Angels and the Shepherds

1. Kommet, ihr Hirten, ihr Männer und Fraun,
Kommet, das liebliche Kindlein zu schaun,
Christus, der Herr, ist heute geboren,
Den Gott zum Heiland euch hat erkoren.
Fürchtet euch nicht!

2. Lasset uns sehen in Bethlehems Stall,
Was uns verheißen der himmlische Schall;
Was wir dort finden, lasset uns künden,
Lasset uns preisen in frommen Weisen:
Halleluja!

3. Wahrlich, die Engel verkündigen heut
Bethlehems Hirtenvolk gar große Freud:
Nun soll es werden Friede auf Erden,
Den Menschen allen ein Wohlgefallen:
Ehre sei Gott!

See also the English version: The Angels and the Shepherds

Historical Information

Traditional Bohemian Carol

The Angels and the Shepherds (Kommet, ihr Hirten, English)

See also the German original: Kommet, ihr Hirten

1. Shepherds, O hark ye, glad tidings we bring,
Peace and goodwill to the world now we sing;
See in a manger Christ the Anointed,
Whom for your Saviour God hath appointed.
Alleluia.

2. In yonder manger behold now he lies,
Whom angel voices foretold from the skies.
Seeking thy mercy, we kneel before thee,
Singing thy praises, humbly adore thee.
Alleluia.

3. Still through the ages the song doth resound,
Peace and goodwill on the earth shall abound.
Bear we the tidings to every nation,
Born is the Chirst Child for man’s salvation.
Alleluia.

See also the German original: Kommet, ihr Hirten

Historical Information

Kommet, ihr Hirten, Traditional Bohemian Carol

Quem Pastores Laudavere

1. Quem pastores laudavere,
quibus angeli dixere,
absit vobis jam timere,
natus est rex gloriæ.

2. Ad quem reges ambulabant,
aurum, thus, myrrham portabant,
immolabant hæc sincere
Leoni victoriæ.

3. Exultemus cum Maria
In cœlesti heirarchia
Natum promat voce pia
Laus honor et gloria.

4. Christo regi, Deo nato,
per Mariam nobis dato,
merito resonet vere
Dulci cum melodia.

Historical Information

Words: 14th century, Hoenforth MS
Music: German, Breslau, 1555

Maria wallt zum Heiligtum (Johannes Eccard)

See also the English version: When to the Temple Mary Went

Maria wallt zum Heiligtum
und bringt ihr Kindlein dar,
das schaut der greise Simeon,
wie ihm verheißen war.
Da nimmt er Jesum in den Arm
und singt im Geiste froh:
Nun fahr' ich hin mit Freud,
dich, Heiland, sah ich heut,
du Trost von Israel, das Licht der Welt.

See also the English version: When to the Temple Mary Went


Composer: Johannes Eccard (1553-1611)

When to the Temple Mary Went (Johannes Eccard)

See also Original German Version: Maria wallt zum Heiligtum

When to the temple Mary went,
And brought the Holy Child,
Him did the aged Simeon see,
As it had been revealed.
He took up Jesus in his arms
And blessing God he said:
In peace I now depart, my Saviour having seen,
The Hope of Israel, the Light of men.

Help now thy servants, gracious Lord,
That we may ever be
As once the faithful Simeon was,
Rejoicing but in Thee;
And when we must from earth departure take,
May gently fall asleep and with Thee wake.

See also Original German Version: Maria wallt zum Heiligtum

Composer: Johannes Eccard (1553-1611)

Unto us is born a Son

Unto us is born a Son,
King of quires supernal:
See on earth his life begun,
Of lords the Lord eternal.

Christ, from heaven descending low,
Come on earth a stranger;
Ox and ass their owner know,
Becradled in the manger.

This did Herod sore affray,
And grievously bewilder,
So he gave the word to slay,
And slew the little childer.

Of his love and mercy mild
This the Christmas story;
And O that Mary's gentle child
Might lead us up to glory.

O and A, and A and O,
Cum cantibus in choro,
Let our merry organ go,
Benedicamus Domino.

Historical Information

Words: XV Century Latin, tr. George Radcliffe Woodward (1848–1934)
Music: Piae Cantiones

The Cherry Tree Carol (arr. Cleobury)

Joseph was an old man
and an old man was he,
When he wedded Mary,
in the land of Galilee.

Joseph and Mary walked
through an orchard good,
Where was cherries and berries,
so red as any blood.

O then bespoke Mary,
so meek and oh, so mild:
‘Pluck me one cherry, Joseph,
for I am with child.’

O then bespoke Joseph,
with words most unkind:
‘Let him pluck thee a cherry
that brought thee with child.’

O then bespoke the baby,
within his mother’s womb:
‘Bow down then the tallest tree,
for my mother to have some.’

Then bowed down the highest tree
unto his mother’s hand;
Then she cried, ‘See, Joseph,
I have cherries at command.’

O then bespoke Joseph:
‘I have done Mary wrong;
But cheer up, my dearest,
and be ye not cast down.’

Then Mary plucked a cherry,
as red as any blood,
Then Mary she went homewards
all with her heavy load.

Historical Background

Text: English Traditional
Music: Stephen Cleobury

Myn Lyking

I saw a fair mayden sytten and sing
She lulled a little childe, a sweete Lording.

Refrain:
Lullay mye lyking, my dere sonne, my sweeting.
Lully mydere herte, myn own dere derling.

That same Lord is he that made alle thing,
Of alle lord is his is lord, of alle kynges King. (Refrain)

There was mickle melody at that chylde's birth
All that were in heav'nly bliss, they made mickle myrth. (Refrain)

Angels bright sang their song to that chyld;
Blyssid be thou, and so be she, so meek and so mild. (Refrain)

Historical Background

Words: Traditional, 15th Century (Sloane MS 2593)
Music: Richard Ruciman Terry (1865-1938)

Puer natus in Bethlehem (Scheidt)

See also English version: A Child is born in Bethlehem

1. Puer natus in Bethlehem, Alleluia.
Unde gaudet Jerusalem. Alleluia.

2. Hic jacet in præsepio, Alleluia.
Qui regnat sine termino. Alleluia.

3. Cognovit bos et asinus, Alleluia.
Quod puer erat Dominus. Alleluia.

4. Reges de Sabâ veniunt, Alleluia.
Aurum, thus, myrrhum offerunt. Alleluia.

5. Intrantes domum invicem, Alleluia.
Novum salutant principem. Alleluia.

6. De matre natus virgine, Alleluia.
Sine virili semine; Alleluia.

7. Sine serpentis vulnere, Alleluia.
De nostro venit sanguine; Alleluia.

8. In carne nobis similis, Alleluia.
Peccato sed dissimilis; Alleluia.

9. Ut redderet nos homines, Alleluia.
Deo et sibi similes. Alleluia.

10. In hoc natali gaudio, Alleluia.
Benedicamus Domino: Alleluia.

11. Laudetur sancta Trinitas, Alleluia.
Deo dicamus gratias. Alleluia.

See also English version: A Child is born in Bethlehem

Words: Piae Cantiones (1582)
Music: Samuel Scheidt

A child is born in Bethlehem (Scheidt)

See also Latin original: Puer natus in Bethlehem

A child is born in Bethlehem,
Alleluia, alleluia,
And joy is in Jerusalem,
Alleluia, alleluia.

Rejoice, rejoice, sing high, sing low,
Alleluia, alleluia,
Benedicamus Domino,
Alleluia, alleluia.

To Thee, O Lord, be glory paid,
Alleluia, alleluia,
Thou Son of Mary, mother-maid,
Alleluia, alleluia.

To Holy Trinity give praise,
Alleluia, alleluia,
With Deo gracias always,
Alleluia, alleluia.

See also Latin original: Puer natus in Bethlehem

Words: XIV Century Benedictine Processional
Translation: G.R. Woodward and others
Music: Samuel Scheidt

Spem in alium (Tallis)

Spem in alium nunquam habui praeter in te
Deus Israel
qui irasceris
et propitius eris
et omnia peccata hominum in tribulatione dimittis
Domine Deus
Creator coeli et terrae
respice humilitatem nostram

Translation:

I have never put my hope in any other but in You,
O God of Israel
who can show both anger
and graciousness,
and who absolves all the sins of suffering man
Lord God,
Creator of Heaven and Earth
be mindful of our lowliness

Background information (Wikipedia)

Text: Matins Response (Sarum Rite), adapted from the book of Judith
Music: Thomas Tallis

In Dulci Jubilo (Pearsall)

See also the German Original: In Dulci Jubilo (German)

1. In dulci jubilo
Let us our homage shew:
Our heart's joy reclineth
In praesepio;
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio,
Alpha es et O!

2. O Jesu parvule,
I yearn for thee alway!
Hear me, I beseech Thee,
O puer optime;
My prayer let it reach Thee!
O princeps gloriae.
Trahe me post te.

3. O patris caritas!
O Nati lenitas!
Deeply were we stained
Per nostra crimina:
But thou has for us gained
Coelorum gaudia,
O that we were there!

4. Ubi sunt gaudia,
If they be not there?
There are Angels singing
Nova cantica;
And there the bells are ringing
In Regis curia.
O that we were there!

There are Angels singing
And there the bells are ringing
In Regis curia.
O that we were there!

Historical Information

See also the German Original: In Dulci Jubilo (German)

Words: attributed to Heinrich Seuse (14th c.), trans. Robert Lucas de Pearsall (1837)
Music: 15th c.

Kyrie Eleison / Orbis Factor (from Le Graduel d'Aliénor de Bretagne)

Kyrie Eleison/Orbis Factor

1. Orbis factor rex aeterne, eleison. Kyrie Eleison

2. Pietatis fons immense, eleison. Kyrie Eleison

3. Noxas omnes nostras pelle, eleison. Kyrie Eleison

4. Christe qui lux es mundi dator vitae, eleison. Christe Eleison

5. Arte laesos daemonis intuere, eleison. Christe Eleison

6. Conservans te credentes confirmansque, eleison. Christe Eleison

7. Patrem tuum teque flamen utrorumque, eleison. Kyrie Eleison

8. Deum scimus unum atque trinum esse, eleison. Kyrie Eleison

9. Clemens nobis adsis paraclite ut vivamus in te, eleison. Kyrie Eleison

Source: Graduel d'Aliénor de Bretagne (c. 1250-1260)