Morning Hush

For Christmas

Words: Le vermeil. Du Soleil, by Nicholas Denisot, 1553
There are 20 stanzas in the original.

English Tr. by the Rev. Canon John Gray

Music: French Melody

Source: Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #52, pp. 26-27.

Morning hush;
First a blush
Faintly telling
Day is welling.
Down the glades
Flee the shades
Through the meadows
Speed the shadows.
Yet in vain;
For again,
Come the even,
All the heaven
Loses light,
Turns to night;
Fades from splendour
Pale and tender.

Brighter light
Burns at night.
What a wonder!
Burst asunder,
Night unmade,
Where a maid
Bears a blossom
At her bosom.
Holy morn
God is born'
Heaven's treasure
Without measure
Poured on earth
At his birth
Night for ever.
Gone for ever.

Here is news
None refuse:
Crowns of gladness
Changed for sadness,
Joy for shame,
Since he came.
No more sorrow;
No tomorrow;
All today.
Sing and pray.
Sing his praises,
Ask his graces.
All is bright,
All is light,
On the seven
Roads to heaven.

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #52, pp. 26-27.

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