A Lady That Was So Fair And Bright

Also: Enixa est Puerpera

 

Words and Music: English Traditional, 1425-1450

 

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 5-6.

1. A lady that was so fair and bright,
    Velut maris stella,
Brought forth Jesu full of might,
    Parens et puella.

2. Lady, flower of alle thing,
    Rosa sine spina,
That barest Jesu, Heaven-King,
    Gracia Divina.

3. All this worlde was forlore,
    Eva peccatrice,
Till that Jesu was ybore,
    De te, genetrice.

4. Of all women thou art best,
    Felix fecundata,
To all weary thou art rest,
    Mater honorata.

5. Well I wot He is thy Son,
    Ventre quem portasti;
There will He grant thee thy boon,
    Infans quem lactasti.

6. How sweet He is, how meek He is
    Nullus memoravit;
In heaven He is and heaven(ly) bliss
    Nobis preparavit.

7. Of all women thou bearest the prize,
    Mater gratiosa,
Grant us alle Paradise,
    Virgo gloriosa.

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