Words: English Traditional, from Secunda Pastorum,¹ Towneley Plays

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 96-7.

I. Pastor. Hail, comely and clean! hail, young child!
Hail, Maker, as I mean, of a maiden so mild,
Thou has worried, I ween, the warlock² so wild;
The false guiler of teen, now goes he beguiled.
    Lo, He merries;
Lo, He laughs, my sweeting,
A well fair meeting!
I hae holden my heting.³
    Have a bob of cherries!

II. Pastor. Hail, suffering Saviour, for Thou has us sought!
Hail, freely fode and flower that all thing hath wrought!
Hail, full of favour, that made all of nought!
Hail! I kneel and I cower, A bird have I brought
    To my bairn.
Hail, little tiny mop!⁴
Of our creed Thou art crop;⁵
I would drink on Thy cop,⁶
    Little day-starn!⁷

III. Pastor. Hail, darling dear, full of godhead!
I pray Thee be near, when that I have need.
Hail! sweet is Thy cheer! My heart would bleed
To see Thee sit here in so poor weed,
    With no pennies.
Hail! put forth Thy dall!⁸
I bring Thee but a ball
Have and play Thee withal,
    And go to the tennis.

Maria. The Father of heaven, God Omnipotent,
That set all on seven,⁹ His Son has He sent.
My name could He neven,¹⁰, and light¹¹ ere He went.
I conceived Him full even, through might as He meant;
    And now He is born.
He keep you from woe!
I shall pray Him so.
Tell forth as ye go,
    And mind on this morn.

Notes:

1. Editor's Note: "Secunda Pastorum" is translated as "The Second Shepherds’ Play." It is said that there are two versions. One version is reproduced at the University of Dusseldorf: Secunda Pastorum.  This reproduction is especially helpful in that it provides a parallel translation from the Middle English. The text can be downloaded in text or PDF format; the ZIP contains both. See also: Can I Not Sing But Hoy. Return

All notes following are from Rickert:

2. Wizard, here applied to the devil. Return

3. Promise. Return

4. Child. Return

5. Head. Return

6. Cup. Return

7. Star. Return

8. Hand. Return

9. Created all things in seven days. Return

10. Name. Return

11. Alighted. Return

Illustration from Rickert: