Words: English Traditional, Before 1529

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 126.

Compare: To the now, Crystys der derlyng - Thomas Wright

Pray for us to the Prince of peace,
Amice Christi, Johannes¹

1. To thee now, Christ's dear darling,
That wert maiden² both old and ying,
My heart is set a song to sing,
    Amice Christi, Johannes.

2. For thou wert so clean a maid,
The secrets of heaven were to thee said
When on Christ's breast thou wert laid,
    Amice Christi, Johannes.

3. When Christ before Pilate was brought,
Thou, clean of heart, forsook Him nought,
To die with Him was all thy thought,
    Amice Christi, Johannes.

4. Christ's mother thou tookest home with thee
Maiden, a maiden's friend to be,
Thou be our help, we pray to thee,
    Amice Christi, Johannes.

Notes from Rickert:

1. In another version the third person is used throughout. Return

2. Bachelor. Return

Editor's Note: The feast day of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, occurs on December 27, within the traditional 12 days of Christmas. For more information, see Hymns To St. John The Evangelist.

J. A. Fuller Maitland, English Carols of the Fifteenth Century. London: The Leadenhall Press, E.C., ca. 1891, XII.

Carol in Original Form From a 15th Century Manuscript

Carol in Modern Form