Now Be We Glad, And Not Too Sad,
For Verbum caro factum est

Words: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 44-5.

Compare: This may I preve withoughten lett - Thomas Wright

1. This may I prove withouten let:¹
When Gabriel our lady gret.²
On his knee he him set
    So mildly:
"Thou shalt conceive this same day
    Salvatorem mundi."

2. The star shone through Godës grace,
As Godës ownë will it was;
The shepherds saw in that place
    Angels two;
And them among they sang a song,
    "Gloria in excelsis Deo!"

3. The Child was born upon Yule day,
As prophets to us could say;
His mother sang lullay, lullay
    Into the east;
Therefore mankind withouten end
    Sing, "Verbum caro factum est."

4. And then by tokening of a star,
Three kings there camë from (a)far,
And offered frankincense and myrrh
    To Christ so free;
Then they said with merry cheer,
    "Mane nobiscum, Domine."

5. Therefore pray we every one
To the Bairn that time was born,
He save us all from shame and scorn,
    In peace and rest;
And all mankind withouten end,
    Sing, "Verbum caro factum est."

Notes:

1. Hindrance. Return

2. Greeted. Return

Rickert gives the following translations:

• Verbum caro factum est is defined as "The Word is made flesh."

• Salvatorem mundi is defined as "Saviour of the world."

• Gloria in excelsis Deo is defined as "Glory on high to God."

• Mane nobiscum, Domine is defined as "Abide with us, O Lord."

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