I Know A Flower

Flos de radice Jesse, or Es ist ein Ros entsprugen

For Christmas

Words and Music from Michael Praetorius' Musae Sionae, 1609

English Translation by the Rev. J. O'Connor
See Notes: Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

Source: Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #147, pp. 20-21.

1. I know a flow'r it springeth
From earth a tender shoot:
As olden prophet singeth,
From Jesse came the root
That bore a blossom bright,
In depth of chilly winter
About the dead of night.

2. This plant, with blossom laden,
As spake Esay of yore, 
Is Mary, spotless maiden, 
For us this flow'ret bore; 
By God's eternal will, 
A seemly Babe she childeth,
Yet maid remaineth still.

3. Praise, honour, to tho Father, 
The Son, the Spirit blest; 
And Mary, God's own Mother, 
For help we make request:-- 
Beseech thy dearest Son
That He would be our Refuge 
And shrive as, every one.

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #147, pp. 20-21.

Sheet Music from Richard R. Terry, Old Christmas Carols. Part One.  (London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne Ltd., n.d., ca. 1923), Carol #27, p. 34.

Editor's Note:

See Flos de radice Jesse, and Es ist ein Ros entsprungen. Also see Notes on Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming.

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