Blessed be that Maid Mary

 

English traditional tune
arr. David Willcocks (b. 1919)

text G.R. Woodward

 

Blessed be that maid Mary; born he was of her body;
Very God ere time began, born in time the Son of Man.
Eya! Jesus hodie natus est de Virgine.

[Jesus today is born of the virgin]

In a manger of an ass, Jesu lay and lulled was;
Born to die upon the tree pro pecante homine. [for all men]
Eya! Jesus hodie natus est de Virgine.

[Jesus today is born of the virgin]

Sweet and blissful was the song chanted of the angel throng;
'Peace on earth, alleluya! In excelsis gloria.' [glory to the highest]
Eya! Jesus hodie natus est de Virgine.

[Jesus today is born of the virgin]

Fare three kings from far-off land, incense, gold, and myrrh in hand;
In Bethlehem the Babe they see, stelle ducti lumine. [following the light of the star]
Eya! Jesus hodie natus est de Virgine.

[Jesus today is born of the virgin]

Make we merry on this fest, in quo Christus natus est; [on which Christ was born]


On this Child I pray you call, to assoil and save us all.
Eya! Jesus hodie natus est de Virgine.

[Jesus today is born of the virgin]

 

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