In Betheleem that noble place
For Christmas Eve
Words: Attributed to James Ryman, 1492, in a manuscript now held at Cambridge.
Source: Edward Bliss Reed, ed., Christmas Carols Printed in the 16th Century Including Kele's Christmas Carolles Newly Inprynted. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1932).
This carol requires the installation of the "Old Blacketter" font for best display.
Available in a Middle English font: In Betheleem, That Noble Place
Be we mery in this fe~te
In quo ~aluator natus e~t
In Betheleem that noble place
As by prophe~y ~ayd it was
Of the vyrgyn mary full of grace
Saluator mundi natus e~t
Be we mery. &c.
On chry~tmas nyght an angel it tolde
To the ~hephardes kepying theyr folde
That into Betheleem with be~tes wolde
Saluator mundi natus e~t
Be we mery. &c.
The ~hephardes were conpa~~ed ryght
About them was great lyght
Drede ye nought ~ayd the aungell bryght
Saluator mundi natus e~t
Be we mery. &c.
Beholde to you we brynge great ioy
For why Je~us is borne this day
To vs of mary that mylde may
Saluator mundi natus e~t
Be mery. &c.
And thus in fayth fynde it ye ~hall
Lyenge porely in an oxe ~tall
The ~hephardes than lauded god all
Quia ~aluator mundi natus e~t.
Be mery. &c.
Finis.
Editor's Note:
This is one of the carols that were first printed by Richard Kele, Christmas Carolles Newly Inprynted (circa 1550), reprinted in Philip Bliss, Biographical Miscellanies (1813), and included in Edward Bliss Reed, Christmas Carols of the 16th Century, Including Kele's Christmas Carolles Newly Inprynted (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1932).
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