Childing Of A Maiden Bright

Words (XIV Cent.) from Daniel's Thesaurus Hymnologicus. Melody (XI or XII Cent.), in the Dorian Mode, from a Palencia Antiphoner, harmonzed by Rev. G. H. Palmer

Notes and Source: George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, First Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1902, Revised and Expanded Edition 1929), Carol #3

1. Childing of a maiden bright
Life today hath brought to light;
And hath put that prince of might
With his flock of fiends to flight:
Christus natus hodie.

2. Whoso aught hath done amiss,
An it rue him sore for this,
Mary's Babe will shrive i-wis,
Gentle as a lamb He is:
Miserere, Domine.

3. He at Bethlehem was born,
Salem gave Him crown of thorn,
Life of want and death of scorn —
All for love of man forlorn.
Ergo benedicite.

4. On this Infant may we call,
Born for man in oxen-stall:
He vouchsafe us bliss withal
In His everlasting hall.
Cum Maria Virgine.

Sheet Music from George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, First Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1901, Revised and Expanded Edition), Carol #3
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Also found in G. R. Woodward, ed., The Hymns and Carols for Christmas-tide (London: H. Grice, 1897), Carol #1, p. 9. The text was the same except:

Verse 3, line 1: He at Bethlehem is born

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