In The Ending Of The Year

In hoc anni circulo
See also: Verbum caro factum est de virgin

For Christmas

Words: In hoc anni circulo, German Anonymous, ca. 12^th Century, translated by Rev. John Mason Neale who noted "One of the most popular of Christmas Carols, and is found with greater variations than almost any other. There is scarcely a European language which has not had an ancient translation."

Music: Rev. Thomas Helmore, Piae Cantiones, 1582.
 Melody below from the Jistebnicz Kantional, circa 1420, taken from G. M. Dreves' Cantiones Bohemicae, and harmonized by Rev. G. R. Woodward.

Source: Collected Hymns, Sequences and Carols (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914), from John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore, Carols for Christmas-tide (London: Novello, 1853).

Other Notes: George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, First Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1902, Revised and Expanded Edition 1929), Carol #13

Compare: 
In The Ending Of The Year - Version 2, an adaptation of Neale's translation from Medieval Hymns by George Radcliffe Woodward, ed., Songs of Syon (1908)
In The Ending Of The Year - Version 3 by John Mason Neale, Medieval Hymns (1863)

1. In the ending of the year
Life and light to man appear;
And the Holy Babe is here,
                                De Virgine;
And the Holy Babe is here,
                                De Virgine Mariâ.

2. What in ancient days was slain
This day calls to life again;
God is coming, God shall reign,
                                De Virgine;
God is coming, God shall reign,
                                De Virgine Mariâ.

3. From the desert grew the corn,
Sprang the lily from the thorn,
When the Infant King was born
                                De Virgine;
When the Infant King was born
                                De Virgine Mariâ.

4. On the straw He lays His head,
Hath a manger for His bed,
Thirsts and hungers and is fed
                                De Virgine;
Thirsts and hungers and is fed
                                De Virgine Mariâ.

5. Angel hosts His praises sing,
Three Wise men their off'rings bring,
Ox and ass adore the King,
                                Cum Virgine;
Ox and ass adore the King,
                                Cum Virgine Mariâ.

6. Wherefore let us all to-day
Banish sorrow far away,
Singing and exulting aye,
                                Cum Virgine;
Singing and exulting aye,
                                Cum Virgine Mariâ.

Sheet Music from George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, First Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1902, Revised and Expanded Edition 1929), Carol #13
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