This Babe To Us That Now Is Born

For Christmas

Words: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century
from a Manuscript in Trinity College Library, O. 3. 58. (James, no. 1230).
See: Cambridge UK, Trinity College O.3.58 (1230).

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 169-70.

Now may we singen as it is
Quod puer natus est nobis.

1. This Babe to us that now is born,
Wonderful works He hath (y)wrought
He would not loss what was forlorn,
But boldly again it bought;
        And thus it is
        For sooth ywis,
  He asketh nought but that is His.

2. This bargain lovëd He right well,
The price was high and bought full dear.
Who would suffer and for us feel
As did that Prince withouten peer?
        And thus it is
        For sooth ywis,
  He asketh nought but that is His.

3. His ransom for us hath ypaid;
Good reason have we to be His.
Be mercy asked and He be prayed,
Who may deserve the heavenly bliss.
        And thus it is
        For sooth ywis,
  He asketh nought but that is His.

4. To some purpose God made man;
I trust well to salvation.
What was His blood that from Him ran
But fence against damnation?
        And thus it is
        For sooth ywis,
  He asketh nought but that is His.

5. Almighty God in Trinity,
Thy mercy we pray with whole heart,
Thy mercy may all woe make fell
And dangerous deread from us to start.
        And thus it is
        For sooth ywis,
  He asketh nought but that is His.

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

Carol in Original Form From a 15th Century Manuscript

Carol in Modern Form

Editor's Note.

This carol is found in two manuscripts. Versions of this carol from these two manuscripts on this website include:

I. Balliol Ms. 354, the Richard Hill Commonplace Book

• Now Sing We Right As It Is (Chambers and Sidgwick, 1907)

• Now Unto Us A Babe Is Born (Weston, 1911)

• This Babe To Us Now Is Born (Segar, 1915)

• This Babe To Vs Now Is Born (Flügel, 1903)

II. Trinity College O.3.58 (1230), Cambridge UK

• Now may we syngyn as it is (Fuller Maitland, 1891, 15th Century text), with sheet music

• Now May We Singen As It Is (Fuller Maitland, 1891), Trinity College, Modern text with sheet music.

• Now May We Singen As It Is (R. R. Terry, 1932), with sheet music.

• This Babe To Us That Now Is Born (Rickert, 1914)

And see also John Stevens, ed. Mediaeval Carols. Musica Britannica 4. (London: Stainer and Bell, 1952, 2nd ed. 1958), p. 4.

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