The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Mary moder come and se

For Christmas

Source: Edward Bliss Reed, ed., Christmas Carols Printed in the 16th Century Including Kele's Christmas Carolles Newly Inprynted. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1932).

From MS. Sloan 2593, fol. 70, r0; see Mary moder, cum and se - Thomas Wright.

A similar carol is found in the Bodleian Library. MS. Eng. Poet. e. 1. XV Century; see Mary modyr, cum and se - Version 2 - Greene, 1962

This carol requires the installation of the "Junicode" font for best display.

Also available in a Blackletter font: Mary moder come and se

GaudeamĒ sunge we, I hoc sacro t÷e (?)
Peur nobis natus en ex Maria virgine

Mary moder come and se
Thy sone is nayled on a tre
Hande and fote he may not go
    His body is wrapped all in wo

Upon a tre nayled he is
To brynge vs all to heuen blyss
For Adam that dyde ainysse
    For an aple that was so fre

From his heed vnto his too
His skynne is torne and flesshe also
His body is bothe wanne and blo
    And nayled he is on a tre

Thy louely sone that thou hast borne
Is crowned with a crowne of thorne
To saue mankynde that was but lorne
    And brynge man but to his liberte

Whan Johan this tale began to tell
Mary wolde no lenger dwell
But went amonge the Jewes fell
    Where she myght her sone se

My swete sone that arte me dere
Why hangest thou on rode here
Thy hede is wrythen all in a brere
    Louely sone what may this be.

Moder to Johan I the betake
Johan kepe this woman for my sake
On rode I am emendes to make
    For synfull man as ye may se.

This game of loue I must play
For mannes soule it is no nay
There is no man that goth by the way
    But on my body he may haue pyte

This payne ye men haue me wrought
For synfull soules I haue it bought
Of all this smerte yet rewe I nought
    If man wolde be kynde to me.

My blode coleth my fleshe doth fall
I am athryst after drynke I call
They gyue me eysyll menged with gall
    A wors drinke may there be none.

Fader my soule to the I betake.
My body dyeth for mannes sake
To hell I must withouten make
    Mankynde for to make fre

God that deyed for vs all
Borne of a mayde in an oxe stall
Graunt vs his realme celestyall
    Amen, amen, for charyte.

                                        Finis.

Note:

Versions of this carol found on this web site:

Print Page Return Home Page Close Window

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.


Related Hymns and Carols