GENTLE MARY LAID HER CHILD
Words: Joseph Simpson Cook (1859-1933), 1919
Music: A Spring Carol, "Tempus Adest Floridum," from Piae Cantiones, 1582
Arr. Ernest MacMillan
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF
Editor's Note: To my ear, there are 'clinkers' in the 7th and 13th measures. However, the transcription is true to the original.
1. Gentle Mary laid her Child
Lowly in a manger;
There He lay, the undefiled,
To the world a Stranger:
Such a Babe in such a place,
Can He be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race
Who have found His favor.
2. Angels sang about His birth;
Wise men sought and found Him;
Heaven's star shone brightly forth,
Glory all around Him:
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight,
Heard the angels singing;
All the plains were lit that night,
All the hills were ringing.
3. Gentle Mary laid her Child
Lowly in a manger;
He is still the undefiled,
But no more a stranger:
Son of God, of humble birth,
Beautiful the story;
Praise His Name in all the earth,
Hail the King of glory!
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Note
The tune, Tempus Adest Floridum, is more commonly associated with the carol Good King Wenceslas. Another musical setting can be found in Roy Ringwald's Book Of American Carols (2004).