Singe wë, singe wë

Regina cæli, letare

Words and Music: English Traditional, 15th Century
See: Holy Maydyn, Blyssid Thou Be

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 18

Singe we, singe we,
Regina celi, letare

1. Holy maiden, blessed thou be,
Godës Son is born of thee;
The Father in heaven worship we,
    Regina celi, letare.

2. Hail, wife! Hail, maiden! Hail, bright of blee!¹
Hail, daughter! Hail, mater! Hail, full of pity!
Hail, chosen to the Persons Three!
    Regina celi, letare.

3. Thou are empress of heaven so free,
Worthy maiden in majesty;
Now worshp we the Trinity,
    Regina celi, letare.

4. Lady so lovely, so goodly to see,
So buxom² in thy body to be,
Thou art His mother for humility,
    Regina celi, letare.

5. These been courteous kings of solemnity,³
They worshipped thy Son with humility;
Milde Mary, thus redë⁴ we,
    Regina celi, letare.

6. So gracious, so precious in royalty,
Thus gentle, thus good, thus findë we
There is none such in no country,
    Regina celi, letare.

7. And therefore kneel we down on our knee,
This blessed birth worship we;
This is a song of humility,
    Regina celi, letare.

Notes:

1. Face. Return

2. Obedient. Return

3. Text: solunte. Return

4. Counsel Return

Sheet Music: Richard R. Terry, Twelve Christmas Carols (London: J. Curwen & Sons, Ltd., 1912), p. 19.
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Note:

Regina celi, letare is translated by Rickert as "Queen of Heaven, rejoice."

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