In Bethlehem, That Fayre Cite

For Christmas

Words: 15th Century in MS. Ee. 1. 12., f. 1.r., Cambridge University Library

Source: Richard Greene, The Early English Carols, #21D, p. 16.

Synge we now both all and sum:
Christe redemptor omnium.

1. In Bethlehem, that fayre cite,
Born was thys chylde so fayer and fre,
That Lorde and Kyng shal ever be,
    A solis ortus cardine.

2. Ryght as the son shynyth on the glasse,
So Chryste Jesu in Owr Lady was;
Hym to sarue God sende vs grade,
    O lux beata Trinitas.

3. Cheldren were slayne grete plente,
Jesu Crist, alle for the loue of the;
Lorde, helpe vs y7f thy wyl it be.
    Hostis Herodes impie.

4. Now ys he boren of Owr Lady,
The Son of the Father that sytthyt at hye;
For owr synnys cry we all mercy,
    Jesu saluator seculi.

Editor's Note:

The popularity of this carol can be seen by its appearance in an unusually large number of 15th century manuscripts including

Trinity College Library, O. 3. 58. (James, No. 1230)

• Nowel Sing We Now All And Sum (Chambers & Sidgwick, Trinity College Library, O. 3. 58. (James, No. 1230)

• Fuller Maitland, 12-13 and 40-41.

Balliol 354, Richard Hill's Comonplace Book, Balliol College, Oxford

• In Bethlehem, In That Fair City (Rickert, pp. 183-4, from Ms. 354, f. 222b, Balliol College, Oxford)

• To blis God bryng us all and sum (Flugel in Anglia XXVI from Ms. 354, f. 222b, Balliol College, Oxford)

Eng. Poet. e. 1., Bodleian Library, Oxford

• In Bedlem, That Fayer Cyte (Wright from Ms. Eng. Poet. e. 1., Bodleian Library, Oxford)
• In Bethlehem, That Fair City (Rickert, p. 50, MS Eng. Poet. e. 1., Bodleian Library, Oxford)

MS. Ee. 1. 12., f. 1.r., Cambridge University Library

• In Bethlehem, That Fayre Cite-ee.1.12 (Greene, The Early English Carols, #21D)

Selden B. 26, Bodleian Library, Oxford
No samples.

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