【Choir】№11 A Virgin Most Pure (arr. Cleobury) ╬ Carols from King's College, Cambridge 2013

※ Tune: SANDYS (C major)
※ Music by: Barney W. English
※ Lyrics from: English Traditional
※ Arranged by: Stephen Cleobury
※ Genre: Sacred, Christmas carol
※ Number of voices: 4vv
※ Voicing: SATB
※ Language: English
※ Choir of: King's College, Cambridge (2013)
※ Directed by: Stephen Cleobury

§ Lyrics §

A virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell,
Hath brought forth a baby, as it hath befel;
To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,
Which Adam’s transgression hath wrapped us in:

[Refrain]
Aye, and therefore be merry,
Rejoice and be you merry;
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.

At Bethlem in Jewry a city there was,
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
And there to be taxed with many one mo’,
For Caesar commanded the same should be so:

[Refrain]

But when they had enter’d the city so fair,
A number of people so mighty was there,
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
Could find in the inn there no lodging at all:

[Refrain]

Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,
Where horses and asses they used for to tie;
Their lodging so simple they took it no scorn:
But against the next morning our Saviour was born:

[Refrain]