A Virgin Unspotted

For Christmas

Words and Music: English Traditional
Roud Number: 1378

Source: Broadside Douce adds. 137(71) (Bod6277 at the Bodleian Library)

Image: http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/static/images/sheets/15000/14999.gif

Imprint: M.W. Carrall, Printer, York  [1827]

Title: Christmas Carols.

Hymn III of IV. A Virgin Unspotted.

See: In Bethlehem City - Notes

1. A Virgin unspotted the prophets foretold,
Should bring forth a saviour which we now behold,
To be our redeemer from death, hell and sin,
Which Adam's transgression involved us in.

Chorus:
Then let us be merry cast sorrow away,
Our Saviour Christ Jesus was born on this day.

2. Through Bethlehem city in Judea it was
That Joseph and Mary together did pass,
And for to be taxed when Thither they came,
Since Caesar Augustus commanded the same.

3. Now Mary's full time being come as we find,
She brought forth her first born to save [svae] all mankind,
The Inn being full for this heavenly guest
No room there was found to lay him to rest.

4. Then Mary, blest Mary so meek and so mild,
Soon wrapt up in swaddlings this heav'nly child,
Contented she laid him where oxen did feed,
The great God of nature approv'd of the deed.

5. To teach us humility all this was done,
So learn we hence haughty pride to shun;
A manger his cradle who came from above,
Our great God of mercy, of peace and of love.

6. Now presently after the shepherds did spy,
Vast number of Angels appear in the sky,
So merrily talking so sweetly did sing,
All glory and praise to our heavenly King.

Broadside from the Bodleian Library

Douce adds. 137(71) - Christmas Carols, M. W. Carrall, Printer: 4 Carols Carol I. God rest you merry gentlemen Carol II. Christians awake salute the happy morn Carol III. A Virgin unspotted the prophets foretold Carol IV. Hark the herald Angels sing

Note:

This broadside contained 4 ballads:

• Hymn I: God rest you merry gentlemen

• Hymn II: Christians awake salute the happy morn

• Hymn III: A virgin unspotted the prophets foretold [This file]

• Hymn IV: Hark the herald Angels sing

Another broadside at the Bodleian Library web site has identical lyrics. It is A Virgin Unspotted, Harding B 25(381)

• Roud Number: 1378; Edition: Bod17506

• Title: Christmas Hymn

• First Line: A virgin unspotted, the prophets foretold

• Image: http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/static/images/sheets/10000/09438.gif

• Printed by J. Kendrew, Printer, Colliergate, York between 1803 and 1848.

Harding B 25(381) - J. Kendrow, Printer: 2 carols [check Bodleian for printer name] Carol I. A Virgin unspotted, the prophets foretold Carol II. Christians awake, salute the happy morn

• The broadsides containing this carol on this website, with slightly different lyrics, include:

  • 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) [this file]

And see: A Virgin Most Pure - Sandys, 1833 and In Bethlehem City - R.V. Williams.