English Carols.
[From a Manuscript at Balliol College, Oxford.]
c. 1540
Mater, ora filium,
ut post hoc exilium
nobis donet gaudium
beatorum omnium!
air maiden, who is this bairn
That thou bearest in thine arm?
Sir it is a Kinges Son,
That in Heaven above doth wone.
Mater, ora, etc.
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, etc.
The Kings brought him presents,
Gold, myrrh, and frankincense
To my Son full of might,
King of Kings and Lord of right!
Mater, ora, etc.
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, etc.
Ave Maria, now say we so,
Maid and mother were never no mo!
