This Tyme Is Born A Chyld Ful Good
For Christmas
Words and Music: Traditional English
British Museum. MS. Sloane 2593, fol. 75, r0. XV Century.
Source: Thomas Wright, Specimens of Old Christmas Carols Selected from Manuscripts and Printed Books (London: The Percy Society, 1841)
This carol requires the installation of the "Junicode"
font
for best display.
You can obtain a copy of this font from
Old English
at the University of Virginia, or right click
here, and
then select "Save File As" to save a copy of the zipped file to your computer.
See notes in F A Q.
Note: Because Middle English contains letters not found in modern English, I've used a special font, "Junicode" created by Professor Peter S. Baker, Professor of English, University of Virginia on some pages. I will note on the individual carol's page which ones need this font. You can obtain a copy of this font from his website Old English at the University of Virginia (select "Windows TrueType," or right click here, and then select "Save File As" to save a copy of the zipped file to your computer). This font must be downloaded and installed before these pages will display accurately.
Note: Because Middle English contains letters not found in modern English, I've used a special font, "Junicode" created by Professor Peter S. Baker, Professor of English, University of Virginia on some pages. I will note on the individual carol's page which ones need this font. You can obtain a copy of this font from his website Old English at the University of Virginia (select "Windows TrueType," or right click here, and then select "Save File As" to save a copy of the zipped file to your computer). This font must be downloaded and installed before these pages will display accurately.
Compare: Man, Be Merry As Bird On Berry (Rickert)
Man, be merie as bryd on berie, and all thi care let away
This tyme is born a chyld ful good,
He that us bowt upon the rod
He bond the devyl, that is so wod,
Til the drydful domys-day.
Quan the chyld of meche myȝt
Wold be born of Mary bryȝt,
A token he sent to kynge and knyȝt,
A sterre that schon bothe nyȝt and day.
The sterre scon as bryȝt as fer,
Over al the wold, bothe fer and ner,
In tokene he was with-outyn per,
And pereles he xal lastyn ay.
The .viij. day he was circumsise,
For to fulfylle the profecye,
The profetes with wordes wyse
Hymn present with ryche a-ray.
The .xij. day come kynges thre
Out of the Est, with herte fre,
To worchepyn hym thei knelyd on kne,
With gold and myrre and francincens.
Versions on this web site:
-
This tyme is born a chyld ful go - Thomas Wright, in Middle English; requires Junius Modern font. (this page)
-
Man, Be Merry As Bird On Berry — Rickert. Updated lyrics. The Title is the Burden. Make the appropriate correction.
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