The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Be glad, lordynges, be ye more and lesse

Words and Music: Traditional English
(From MS. Harl No. 5396, p. 18. This MS. appears to have been written in the north; for on the page which contains the present carol are written, in nearly a contemporary hand, the words,
"Wyl3am Northe of Yorke.")

Source: Thomas Wright, Specimens of old Christmas Carols, Selected from Manuscripts and Printed Books (London: The Percy Society, 1841)

Compare: Be Glad, Lordings, Be Ye More Or Less (Puer nobis natus est)

 

This carol requires the installation of the "Junius Modern" font for best display.
See notes in F A Q

Puer nobis natus est,
de virgine Maria

Be glad, lordynges, be ye more and lesse
I bryng 3ou tydynges of gladnesse,
As Gabryel me beryth wetnesse,
                    dicam vobis quia.

I bryng 3ou tydynges that ben gode,
Mary hath borne a blysful foude,
That bo3t us all upon the rode,
                    sua morte pia.

For the trespas of Adam,
For the fadyr of hevyn he cam,
Here-to myrthhe us bygan,
                    teste profecia.

Mary, modr and leve virgyn,
That bare of child wyth-outen syn,
Kepe us all fro hell pyn,
                    de virgine Maria.

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