A Virgin Most Pure

For Christmas

Words and Music: English Traditional
Roud Number: 1378

See: In Bethlehem City - Notes

Source: William Sandys, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (London: Richard Beckley, 1833), pp. 61-2.

1. A virgin most pure, as the Prophets do tell,
Hath brought forth a Babe, as it hath befell,
To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,
Which by Adam’s transgression hath wrapt us all in.

Refrain
Rejoice, and be you merry, set sorrow aside,
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.

2. In Bethlehem city, in Jury it was,
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
And there to be taxed, with many one more,
For Cæsar commanded the same should be so. Refrain

3. But, when they had entered the city so far
The number of people so mighty was there,
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
Could get in the city no lodging at all. Refrain

4. Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,
Where oxen and asses they used to tie;
Their lodging so simple, they held it no scorn,
But against the next morning our Saviour was born. Refrain

5. The King of all Glory to this world being brought,
Small store of fine linen to wrap him was brought;
When Mary had swaddled her young Son so sweet,
Within an ox manger she laid him to sleep. Refrain

6. Then God sent an Angel from Heaven so high,
To certain poor Shepherds in fields where they lie,
And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay,
Because that our Saviour was born on this day. Refrain

7. Then presently after, the Shepherds did spy
A number of Angels appear in the sky,
Who joyfully talked, and sweetly did sing,
To God be all Glory, our Heavenly King. Refrain

8. Three certain Wise Princes, they thought it most meet
To lay their rich offerings at our Saviour’s feet;
Then the Shepherds consented, and to Bethlehem did go,
And when they came thither, they found it was so. Refrain

Sandys added this eighth verse, which was not found in Gilbert, 1822 or 1823.

Sheet Music from Richard R. Terry, Gilbert and Sandys' Christmas Carols (London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne, Ltd., 1931); "Traditional words and melody (in the Seventh Mode) from 'Some Ancient Christmas Carols,' by Davies Gilbert, 1822."
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), pp. 12-13.

Gilbert

Sandys

"Words and Melody from Sandys, 'Christmas Carols,' 1833"

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Old Christmas Carols. Part One. (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1923), #9, p. 12.

Rev. Terry notes:

"Traditional words and melody (in the Seventh Mode), from Some Ancient Christmas Carols, by Davies Gilbert, 1822 & 1823." Seven verses, with these differences:

• Verse 2, Line 1: 2. In Bethlehem Jewry a City there was

• Verse 3, Line 4. Could find in the Inn there

• Verse 4, Line 3. they took it no scorn

• Verse 5, Line 1. The King of all kings

• Verse 5, Line 2. wrap him was sought

• Verse 5, Line 3. And when she had swaddled

• Verse 6, Line 3. And bade them

• Verse 7, Line 2.  that stood in the sky

• Verse 7, Line 3. They joyfully talkèd

Editor's Note: The 8th verse in Sandys does not occur in Terry's Old Christmas Carols.

Four broadsides containing this carol, with slightly different lyrics:

• A Virgin Most Pure-Harding B 7(4)

• A Virgin Most Pure from Harding B 11 (3920)

• A Virgin most purely - Douce Adds 137(45)

• A Virgin Unspotted - Douce adds. 137(71)

And see: In Bethlehem City - R.V. Williams.