Come Ye Faithful, Sing We Right Merrily
For Christmas
Latin Words & Melody: Congaudeat turba fidelium (with notes), Piæ Cantiones, 1582.
English Translation by the Rev. Ronald Knox
Source: Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), pp. 6-7.
1.
Come ye faithful, sing we right merrily; 2. Angels told it, shepherds, that morn to you, Singing,"Christ our Saviour is born to you, in Bethlehem.”
3.
One to other answered ,"Why tarry we?
4.
Well they wist their Master that came to them;
5.
By God's law this Babe circumcisèd
they, 6. Three kings brought three gifts to the Trinity, Hiding close at the breast His Divinity, in Bethlehem.
7.
Spices brought they, gifts of most rarity: |
1.
Congaudeat turba fidelium,
2.
Ad pastores descendit angelus,
3.
Loquebantur pastores invicem,
4.
Ad praesepe stant bos et asinus,
5.
In octaca dum circumciditur,
6.
Trini trino trina dant munera,
7.
Collyridas simul cum nectare |
Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #162, pp. 6-7.
Note:
A single copy of Piæ Cantiones found its way into the hands of Rev. John Mason Neale and Rev. Thomas Helmore in 1853, and from this exceptionally rare volume an immense amount of music was saved from oblivion. For more information, see Piæ Cantiones.
If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.