Now May We Singen As It Is - Fuller Maitland

Now May We Singen As It Is

For Christmas

Words: English Traditional from a Manuscript in Trinity College Library, O. 3. 58. (James, no. 1230).
See: Cambridge UK, Trinity College O.3.58 (1230)

Music: English Traditional

Source: J. A. Fuller Maitland, English Carols of the Fifteenth Century. (London: The Leadenhall Press, E.C., ca. 1891), Carol #VI, p. 37.

Now may we singen as it is,
Quod puer natus est nobis

1. This babe to us that now is born,
Wonderful workës He hath ywrought,
He would not lose what was forlorn,
But boldly again it bought;

And thus it is
For sooth I wis,
He asketh nought but that is His.

2. This bargain lovëd He right well,
The price was high and bought full dear,
Who would suffer and for us feel
As did that Prince withouten peer?
And thus it is, etc.

3. His ransom for us hath ypaid.
Good reason have we to be His.
Be mercy asked and He be prayed
We may deserve the heavenly bliss.
And thus it is, etc.

4. To some purpose God made man;
I trust well to salvation.
What was His blood that from Him ran.
But fence against damnation?
And thus it is, etc.

5. Almighty God in Trinity,
Thy mercy we pray with whole heart
Thy mercy may all woe make flee
And dangerous dread from us to start.
And thus it is, etc.

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:

This description of the source manuscript is from Chambers and Sidgwick, Early English Lyrics (London: A. H. Bullen, 1907):

T.C.C., O. 3. 58
Trinity College Library, O. 3. 58. (James, no. 1230). Parchment roll 7 inches wide, and 6 feet 7 inches long. One side bears a Latin ecclesiastical treatise; the other 13 carols and poems with music, perhaps by John Dunstable (see Bodl. Selden B. 26). Df the XV cent.; the forms of the words indicate northern origin. A variant of the Agincourt song is the only secular poem. The MS. was presented in 1838 to the College by H. O. Roe, Esq. Described in James, iii. 247. Edited with a facsimile and added vocal parts by J. A. Fuller Maitland and W. S. Rockstro in 1891, English Carols of the Fifteenth Century, from a MS. Roll in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge.

Editor's Note.

This carol is found in two manuscripts. Versions of this carol from these two manuscripts on this website include:

I. Balliol Ms. 354, the Richard Hill Commonplace Book

Now Sing We Right As It Is (Chambers and Sidgwick, 1907)
Now Unto Us A Babe Is Born (Weston, 1911)
This Babe To Us Now Is Born (Segar, 1915)
This Babe To Vs Now Is Born (Flügel, 1903)

II. Trinity College O.3.58 (1230), Cambridge UK

Now may we syngyn as it is (Fuller Maitland, 1891, 15th Century text), with sheet music
Now May We Singen As It Is (Fuller Maitland, 1891), Trinity College, Modern text with sheet music.
Now May We Singen As It Is (R. R. Terry, 1932), with sheet music.
This Babe To Us That Now Is Born (Rickert, 1914)

And see also John Stevens, ed. Mediaeval Carols. Musica Britannica 4. (London: Stainer and Bell, 1952, 2nd ed. 1958), p. 4.

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.

Related Hymns and Carols