Wo, Jesu, Is Me

Words: O JesuIein zart, from D. G. Corner's Gesangbuch, 1631
Translated by George Ratcliffe Woodward
Melody from Maintz (1661),
Harmonized by Charles Wood

Notes and Source: George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, Second Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, ca. 1919), Carol #73, and
George Radcliffe Woodward, ed., Songs of Syon (London: Schott & Co., Third Edition, 1908), #427

1. Wo, Jesu, is me
Thy cradle to see;
Thou tender Child, say,
Why liest thou on hay?

    Sleep, darling; close
    Thine eyes in repose;
    And make us rest
    In Paradise blest.

    Wo, Jesu, is me,
    Thy cradle to see;
    Thou tender Child, say,
    Why liest thou on hay?

2. Sleep on, prithee, rest:
Naught shalt thee molest;
For ox, ass and sheep
Be all fast asleep.

    Sleep, darling; close
    Thine eyes in repose;
    And make us rest
    In Paradise blest.

    Wo, Jesu, is me,
    Thy cradle to see;
    Thou tender Child, say,
    Why liest thou on hay?

3. Hark! Seraphim high
And Cherubim cry:
Thy cradle a flock
Of Angels doth rock.

    Sleep, darling; close
    Thine eyes in repose;
    And make us rest
    In Paradise blest.

    Wo, Jesu, is me,
    Thy cradle to see;
    Thou tender Child, say,
    Why liest thou on hay?

4. See! see! darling dear,
Saint Joseph is here;
And I too am near:
Sleep on without fear.

    Sleep, darling; close
    Thine eyes in repose;
    And make us rest
    In Paradise blest.

    Wo, Jesu, is me,
    Thy cradle to see;
    Thou tender Child, say,
    Why liest thou on hay?

5. Sir ox, quiet keep;
The Infant will sleep;
Ass, prithee, lie still,
To sleep is his will.

    Sleep, darling; close
    Thine eyes in repose;
    And make us rest
    In Paradise blest.

    Wo, Jesu, is me,
    Thy cradle to see;
    Thou tender Child, say,
    Why liest thou on hay?

Sheet Music from George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, Second Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, ca. 1919), Carol #73
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

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