In Bethlehem, In That Fair City
Words: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century
Compare: In Bethlehem, That Fair City
Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 183-4.
To bliss God bring us all and some,
Christe, Redemptor omnium
1. In Bethlehem, in that fair city,
A Child was born of our Lady,
Lord and prince that He should be,
A solis ortus cardine
2. Children were slain (full) great plenty,
Jesus, for the love of Thee;
Let us never damnėd be,
Hostis Herodes impie.
3. He was born of our Lady,
Without stain of her body,
Godės Son that sitteth on high,
Jesu Salvator seculi.
4. As the sun shineth thorough the glass,
So Jesus in her body was;
To serve Him He gave us grace.
O lux beata trinitas!
5. Now is born our Lord Jesus,
That made merry all (of) us;
Be all merry in this house,
Exultet celum laudibus!
Translations from Rickert:
Christe, Redemptor omnium is translated as "Christ, the Redeemer of all."
A solis ortus cardine is translated as "Arisen from the quarter of the sun."
Hostis Herodes impie is translated as "O Herod, impious foe."
Jesu Salvator seculi is translated as "Jesus, Saviour of the world."
O lux beata Trinitas is translated as "O blessed light of the Trinity."
Exultet celem laudibus is translated as "Let heaven rejoice with praises."
J. A. Fuller Maitland, English Carols of the Fifteenth Century. London: The Leadenhall Press, E.C., ca. 1891, VI.
Carol in Original Form From a 15th Century Manuscript
Carol in Modern Form
Editor's Note: Fuller Maitland provides a different burden:
Nowel sing we now all and some
For Rex pacificus is come.
He notes that Rex pacificus is translated "The King of Peace." Other translations from Fuller Maitland:
A solis ortus cardine is translated as "From the rising of the sun."
Hostis Herodes impie is translated as "Herod thou wicked foe."
O lux beata Trinitas is translated as "O Trinity most blessed light."
Exultet celem laudibus is translated as "Let heaven rejoice with praises."
