Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

For Christmas

Version 14: I Know A Flower, It Springeth

Words: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, from Spier Gesaungbuch, 1599
Translation by Rev. George R. Woodward
See Notes

Music: Es Ist Ein Ros, Anonymous, 16th Century
(Arr. by Michael Praetorius, 1609)
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML
Meter: 76 76 676

For Mary, The Mother of Jesus

Source: George Radcliffe Woodward, ed, Songs of Syon (London: Schott & Co., Third Edition, 1908), # 214

Another musical setting was composed by Herbert Howells (1892-1983), A Spotless Rose, 1919

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 the 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 us, every one.

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

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