From Heaven Was Sent An Angel Of Light

For Advent, Christmas

Words: English Traditional, Before 1536
Compare: From Heaven Was Sent An Angel of Light (Weston, 1911)

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 32-3.

Now we should sing and say nowell,
Quia missus est angelus Gabriel

1. From heaven was sent an angel of light,
Unto a city that Nazareth hight,
Unto a maid, a bride so bright,
    And full of bliss;
    Nomen Maria virginis.

2.The angel went forth and naught he ceased,
Before that maiden he him soon dressed,
He said: "All hail, thou art full blessed,
    And gracious,
    Quia tecum est Dominus!"

3. When Mary this heard, astonied was she,
And thought what this greeting might be.
The angel her showed of grace plenty
    And great solace,
    Et dixit: "Maria, ne timeas."

4. The angel said: "Thou maiden mild,
Thou shalt conceive and bear a child;
Thy maidenhood shall be never defiled;
    Call Him Jesus,
    Hic (erit) Altissimi Filius."

5. When Mary, as bright as crystal stone,
These wordës heard, (she) answered anon,
And asked how all this might be done,
    And said: "How so?
    Quia virum non cognosco."

6. The angel said: "Thou maiden still,
The Holy Ghost shall thee fulfill."
The maid answered with voice so shrill,
    And said meekly:
    "Ecce ancilla Domini."

7. Soon after this, this Child was born,
In Bethlehem, in a winter's morn.
Now make we merry Him beforn,
    And sing nowell,
    Quia missus est angelus Gabriel!

Note:

Rickert gives the following translations:

• Nomen Maria virginis is translated as "The name of the virgin (is) Mary."

• Quia tecum est Dominus is translated as "Because the Lord is with thee."

• Et dixit: "Maria, ne timeas" is translated as "And said: 'Mary, fear not.'"

• Hic (erit) Altissimi Filius is translated as "He shall be the Son of the Most High."

• Quia virum non cognosco is translated as "Because I know not a man."

• Ecce ancilla Domini is translated as "Lo, the handmaid of the Lord."

• Quia missus est angelus Gabriel is translated as "Because the angel Gabriel is sent."

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.

Related Hymns and Carols