Christ Keep Us All, As He Well Can

Now sing we, sing we: Gloria Tibi, Domine.

Words: English Traditional, Before 1536

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 187.

1. Christ keep us all, as He well can,
    A solis ortus cardine;
For He is both God and Man,
    Qui natus est de virgine.
        Sing we, sing we: Gloria Tibi, Domine.

2. As He is Lord, both day and night,
    Venter puelle baiulat,
So is Mary, mother of might,
    Secreta que non noverat.
        Sing we, sing we: Gloria Tibi, Domine.

3. The holy breast of chastity,
    Verbo concepit Filium
So brought before the Trinity,
    Ut castytatis lyllyum.
        Sing we, sing we: Gloria Tibi, Domine.

4. Between an ox and an ass
    Enixa est puerpera;
In poor clothing clothed He was,
    Qui regnat super ethera.
        Sing we, sing we: Gloria Tibi, Domine.

Notes:

Rickert gives the following translations:

• A solis ortus cardine is translated as "Arisen from the quarter of the sun."

• Qui natus est de virgine is translated as "Who is born of a virgin."

• Gloria Tibi, Domine is translated as "Glory to Thee, O Lord."

• Venter puelle baiulat is translated as "A maiden's womb bears."

• Secreta que non noverat is translated as "The secrets which she knew not."

• Verbo concepit Filium is translated as "She conceived a Son by the Word."

• Ut castytatis lyllyum is translated as "As the lily of chastity."

• Enixa est puerpera is translated as "The woman in childbed is delivered."

• Qui regnat super ethera is translated as "Who reins in heaven."

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