Lo! How a Rose

Michael Praetorius(1571–1621)
Hugo Distler (1908–1942)

Lo, how a rose e're blooming from tender stem hath sprung,
Of Jesse's lineage coming as seers of old have sung.
It came, a blossom bright, amid the cold of winter
When half spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind,
With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright, she bore to us a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

O Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispel in glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God, from sin and death now save us,
And share our every load.

 

This piece was performed on Octarium’s Christmas with Octarium December 2003.