Also: A, My Dere Son
Source: William Sandys, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (London: Richard Beckley, 1833), pp.11-12.
Words and Music: 15th Century England
The earliest manuscript containing the song comes from c. 1475.
Compare: The Virgin and Child (Bramley and Stainer),
This Winter's Night, I Saw A Sight.
This Endernight I Saw A Sight
Also See: This Endris Night, This Endris Night - Version 2
and Thys endris nyghth - Thomas Wright
A, my dere son, sayd mary, a, my dere,
kys þi moder Jhesu wt a lawghyng chere.
This endnes nyght I saw a syght
all in my slepe,
Mary þt may she sang lullay
& sore did wepe.
To kepe she sawght full fast a bowte
her son fro colde;
Joseph seyd, wiff, my joy, my leff,
say what ye wolde;
no thyng my spouse is In þs howse
unto may pay;
my son a kyng þt made all thyng
lyth in hay.
A my dere son.
My moder dere, a mend yor chere,
& now be styll;
thus for to ly it is sothely
my fadirs will.
derision gret passion
Infynytely,
As it is fownde many a wownd
suffyr shall I,
on caluery that is so hye
there shall I be;
man to restore naylid full sore
uppon a tre.
A my dere son.
Sandys' Note, p. 179.
From Addit. MSS. Brit. Museum, 5465. (being ancient songs, temp. Hen. VII. and VIII. with the music in three and four parts).
Also found in A. H. Bullen, A Christmas Garland (London: John C. Nimmo, 1885), p. 21, with modernized spelling (similar to Rickert's This Endernight I Saw A Sight). He notes that this carol was printed in Sandys' Christmas Carols, from Add. Ms. 5165 (ancient songs temp Henry VII and VIII). He also notes, at page 252, "The MS. from which this piece is taken contains a large collection of church-services, hymns, carols, and songs, — with music. It formerly belonged to Joseph Ritson, who presented it to the British Museum. The collection deserves to be printed in full."
