A Virgin Most Pure (EN 2155)

1

A virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell,

Hath brought forth a Baby, as it hath befell,

To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,

Which Adam’s transgression has wrapped us in.

And therefore be merry, set sorrow aside;

Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.

2

At Bethlehem city, in Jewry it was

Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,

And there to be taxed, with many one more,

For Cæsar commanded the same should be so.

3

But, when they had entered the city so fair

A number of people so mighty was there,

That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,

Could get in the city no lodging at all.

4

Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,

Where oxen and asses they used to tie;

Their lodging so simple, they held it no scorn,

But against the next morning our Savior was born.

5

The King of all glory to this world being brought,

Small store of fine linen to wrap Him was sought,

When Mary had swaddled her young Son so sweet,

Within an ox manger she laid Him to sleep.

6

Then God sent an angel from Heaven so high,

To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,

And bade them no longer in sorrow to stay,

Because that our Savior was born on this day.

7

Then presently after, the shepherds did spy

A number of angels appear in the sky;

Who joyfully talked and sweetly did sing,

To God be all glory, our heavenly King.

8

Three certain wise princes, they thought it most meet

To lay their rich offerings at our Savior’s feet;

Then the Shepherds consented, and to Bethlehem did go,

And when they came thither, they found it was so.