Be we merry in this Feast

On Christmas night an angel it told
To the shepherds, keeping their fold,
That into Bethlehem with beastës wold,'
Salvator mundi natus est.

Be we merry, &c.

The shepherds were compassèd right,
About them was a full great light;

'Dread ye nought', said the angel bright,
'Salvator mundi natus est.'

Be we merry,

&c.

'Behold to you we bring great joy;

2

For why Jesus is born this day,

To us, of Mary, that mild may,3

Salvator mundi natus est.'

Be we merry, &c.

And thus in faith find it ye shall,
Lying poorly in an oxes-stall.

The shepherds then God lauded all,

Quia Salvator mundi natus est.

12. MAN, BE MERRY AS BIRD ON BERRY

MAN, be merry as bird on berry

And all thy care let away.

This time is born a child full good,
He that us bought upon the rood;
He bound the devil that is so wood,
Till the dreadful doomës-day.

I Would go.

2 Because.

3 Maid.

Man, be merry as Bird on Berry
When the child of mickle might
Would be born of Mary bright,

A token he sent to king and knight,

A star that shone both night and day.

The star shone as bright as fire,
Over all the world both far and near,
In token He was without peer;

And peerless he shall lasten ay.

The xij day come kingës three
Out of the east, with heartë free;

To worship Him they kneeled on knee

With gold and myrrh and frankincense.

13. ALL THIS TIME THIS SONG IS BEST

A

LL this time this song is best:
Verbum caro factum est!

This night there is a child born
That sprang out of Jesse's thorn;
We must sing and say thereforn
Verbum caro factum est !

Jesus is the childës name

And Mary mild is his dame;
All our sorrow shall turn to game,
Verbum caro factum est.

It fell upon high midnight,

The stars shone both fair and bright,
The angels sang with all their might
Verbum caro factum est.

14.

All this Time this Song is best

Now kneel we down on our knee,
And pray we to the Trinity,
Our help, our succour for to be!
Verbum caro factum est.

Fair maiden, who is this bairn

That thou bearest in thine arm?

Sir, it is a Kingës Son,

That in heaven above doth wone.'

Mater, ora,
&c.

Man to father he hath none,

But Himself God alone!

Of a maiden He would be born,

To save mankind that was forlorn!

Mater, ora,
&c.

Three Kingës brought him presents,

Gold, myrrh, and frankincense,

To my Son full of might,

King of Kings and Lord of right!

Mater, ora,

&c.

I Dwell.

15.

Mater, ora filium

Fair maiden, pray for us
Unto thy Son, sweet Jesus,

That He will send us of His grace
In heaven on high to have a place.
Mater, ora, &c.

Man and child both old and young
Now in his blissful coming
To that child may we sing

Gloria tibi, Domine.