The First Day When Christ Was Born

Words: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century

Compare: Nowel, el, el, el, el (Chambers & Sidgwick; First Line: The first day whan Crist was borne)
Compare: The Fyrst Day Wan Crist Was Borne (Wright, Songs and Carols (1847), p. 42.

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 180-1.

Rickert gives the title:
Nowell, el, el, el, el
I thank (it) a maiden every deal.

1. The first day when Christ was born,
There sprang a rose out of a thorn,
To save mankind that was forlorn:
    I thank (it) a maiden every deal.

2. In an ox-stall the Child was found,
In poor clothing the Child was wound;
He suffered many a deadly wound;
    I thank (it) a maiden every deal.

3. A garland of thorns on His head was set,
A sharp spear to His heart was smet;¹
The Jews saiden, "Take Thee that!"
    I thank (it) a maiden every deal.

4. The Jews did cry their parliament;
On the day of judgëment,
They were afeared they should be shent.²
    I thank it a maiden every deal.

5. To the pillar He was bound,
to His heart a spear was stung;
For us He suffered a deadly wound.
    I thank it a maiden every deal.

Notes:

1. Smitten. Return

2. Destroyed. Return

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