From the Royal Shepherd's Line

David ex progenie

Part I*
Part II is “See the Word Our Flesh Become” (“Verbum caro factum est”)
Compare: Verbum caro factum est de virgin
& In hoc anni circulo

For Christmas

Words and melody from the Selden MS. (Selden MS. B.26 f. 24^v & Selden MS. B.26 f. 25 ), Bodleian Library.

English Translation by the Rev. J. O'Connor

Source: Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #177, p. 12.

 

From the royal shepherd's line, Came one day a maiden fine, Mother of all grace divine, She that brought us life anew.	David ex progenie, Nata fuit hodie Virgo mater gracie Vite restoracio.
From the briar buds the rose Which the Fruit of price bestows, Killing death, and from our foes Granting us redemption true.	Ex spina rosa nascitur In qua fructus gignitur Per quem mors destruitur Et datur salvacio.
Thou art Son of mother-maid, Got of God by no man's aid; Perfect Peer of Savran Sire, Never shall Thy reign expire.	Natus es de virgine, Sine viri semine Patrit compar Domine Regans sine termino.
From His bloodshed and His pain Cometh out etheral gain, On Him let our gladsome train Blessing call in solemn strain; Benedicat Domino. (2)	Cujus fuit passio Omnium redempcio. Nostra ergo concio Marie cum Filio Benedicat Domino. (2)

 

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols  (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #177, pp. 12-13.

Note by Rev. Terry.

* As the tune of Part I is uninteresting I have set both parts of the carol to the tune of Part II.

Notes by Rev. Terry Concerning The Music:

1. This chord is for verse 2 (Latin) only. [See sheet music.]

2. This extra line is to be sung by repeating the music of the previous one.  Return

Sheet Music from Sir Richard Runciman Terry, A Medieval Carol Book: The Melodies Chiefly from MMS. in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., 1932), Carol #6, pp. 12-13.

Editor's Note:

The Selden Manuscript was the source for A Medieval Carol Book by Rev. Terry. Scans of the manuscript pages are on-line at the Bodleian Library; see Selden MS B26 (opens in a new window at an exterior site).

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