For Christmas

Words: Adam of S. Victor, ca. 1192

Music: "Quem Pastores Laudavere," German Melody, Breslau, 1555
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Meter: 88 87

Source: J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #54, pp. 84-5.

1. Missus Gabriel de cœlis,
Verbi baijulus fidelis,
Sacris disserit loquelis
Cum beata virgine;

2. Verbum bonum et suave
Pandit intus in conclave,
Et ex Eva format Ave,
Evæ verbo nomine.

3. Consequenter, juxta pactum
Adest Verbum caro factum:
Semper tamen est intactum
Puellare gremium;

4. Parem pariens ignorat,
Et quam homo non deflorat,
Non torquetur, nec laborat
Quando parit filium.

5. Signum audi novitatis:
Crede solum, et est satis,
Non est tuæ facultatis
Solvere corrigiam:

6. Grande signum et insigne
Est in rubo et in igne;
Ne appropiet indigne
Calceatus quispiam.

7. Virga sicca sine rore,
Novo ritu, novo more
Fructum protulit cum flore;
Sic et Virgo peperit.

8. Benedictus talis fructus;
Fructus gaudii, non luctus;
Non erit Adam seductus
Si de hoc gustaverit.

9. Jesus noster, Jesus bonus,
Piæ matris pium onus,
Cujus est in cœlo thronus,
Paritur in stabulo.

10. Qui sic est pro nobis natus
Nostros deleat reatus:
Quia noster incolatus
Hic est in periculo.

Sheet Music from J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #53, p. 84.

"Original Melody of the XIVth Century.
Harmony from Dr. F. Layriz"