The Child In Bethlehem Is Born

Words and Music: Puer natus in Bethlehem, a 14^th Century Latin Hymn
See Puer natus in Bethlehem from Dreves, with notes.

Music: "Puer Natus in Bethlehem"
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF
Meter: 8,8

Source: Samuel Willoughby Duffield , The Latin Hymn-writers and Their Hymns (New York & London: Funk & Wagnalls, 1889), pp. 387-388.

Translation by A. R. Thompson.

The child in Bethlehem in born.
Hail O Jerusalem, the morn!

Here lies he in the cattle-stall
Whose Kingdom boundless is withal.

The ox and ass do recognize
This Child, their Master from the skies.

Kings from the East are journeying,
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh they bring.

Who, entering in turn the place,
The new King greet with lowly grace.

Seed of the woman lies he there,
And no man's son, this Child so fair.

Unwounded by the serpent's sting,
Of our own blood comes in the King.

Like us in mortal flesh is he,
Unlike us in his purity.

That so he might restore us men
Like to himself and God again.

Wherefore, on this his natal day,
Glad, to our Lord, we homage pay.

We praise the Holy Trinity,
And render thanks, O God, to thee!

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