In Bethlem City, On Christmas-day Morn

For Christmas

Words based on Σημερον ό Χριστόs, and Μáφοι ΙΙερσων Βασιλεϊs, from the Greek Menaeon (December 25, 26), by G. R. W. An Old English or Irish Melody, harmonized by C. W.

Notes and Source: George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, Second Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, ca. 1919), Carol #77

1. In Bethlehem city, on Christmas-day morn
Lord in a bare cavern thou wouldst be born;
And thou, who for throne has the heaven on high,
Wast fain in a shippon 'mid oxen to lie.

2. And thou, whom Angelical troops ay surround,
By certain poor herdsmen didst deign to be found.
And this, of thy goodness, to rescue our race:
So sing we, "All glory, and thanks for thy grace."

3. And at the same season, behold from afar
There fared unto Bethlehem, led by a star,
Three princes of Saba, who knew by that sign
That born upon earth was a Monarch divine.

4. Choice treasure they bare thee, myrrh, incense and gold;
And though thou wert cradled 'mid beasts of the fold,
They knelt, for they saw, when they rend'red thee praise,
The Son of the Father, the Ancient of Days.

Sheet Music from George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, Second Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, ca. 1919), Carol #77
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), #24, pp. 42-43.

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Old Christmas Carols. Part One. (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, n.d., ca. 1923), #10, p. 14.

Rev. Terry notes: "Words by the Rev. G. R. Woodward. Tune, Old Worcestershire melody, in the Seventh Mode."

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