There Comes A Galley, Laden

Es komt ein Schiff Geladen

Words by Joh. Tauler (A. D. 1290-1361), versified by the Rev. G. R. Woodward. Melody and harmony from the Catholick Gesangbuch, Koln, 1608, as given by Layriz.

Notes and Source: George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, First Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1901, Revised and Expanded Edition), Carol #31

1. There comes a galley, laden
Up to the highest board;
She bears a heav'nly burthen,
The Father's eterne Word.

2. She saileth on in silence,
Her freight of value vast:
With Charity for mailsail,
And Holy Ghost for mast.

3. The ship has dropt her anchor,
Is safely come to land;
The Word eterne, in likeness
Of man, on earth doth stand.

4. At Bethlem in a stable,
To save the world forlorn
(O bless Him for His mercy),
Our Saviour Christ is born.

5. And whosoe'er with gladness
Would kiss Him and adore,
Must first endure with Jesus
Great pain and anguish sore.

6. Must die with Him moreover,
And rise in flesh again,
To win that life eternal,
Which doth to Christ pertain.

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 #31
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Sheet Music from Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), Carol 732

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