Blessed Be That Maid Mary

For Christmas

Words: English, 15th Century

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 45-6.

Eia Jesus Hodie
Natus est de virgine

1. Blessed be that maid Mary,
Born He was of her body,
Godës Son that sitteth on high,
    Non ex virili semine.

2. In a manger of an ass,
Jesu lay and lullëd was,
Hardë painës for to pass,
    Pro peccante homine.

3. Kingës came fro divers land,
With great giftës in their hand,
In Bethlehem the Child they found,¹
    Stelle ducti lumine.

4. Man and child, both old and ying,
Now in His blissful coming,²
To that Child may we sing,
    Gloria Tibi, Domine!

5. Nowell, nowell, in this hall,
Make merry, I pray you all
Unto the Child may we call,
    Ullo sine. crimine.

Notes:

1. Or: There they found him in swaddling-bands. Return

2. Or: Do joy in his blissful coming. Return

Note:

The versions on this site are:

• Blessed Be That Maid Marie (Hutchins)

• Blessed Be That Maid Mary (Rickert) (This page)

• Blyssid Be Y^t Mayde Mary (Sandys)

• Blyssid be that mayde Mary (Wright)

• Eya ! Jesus Hodie (Rankin)

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