Puer nobis nascitur
Rector angelorum,
In hoc mundo pascitur
Dominus dominorum.

In praesepe ponitur
Sub foeno asinorum.
Cognoverunt Domiunum
Christum regem coelorum.

Hinc Herodes timuit
Magno cum dolore,
Et pueros occidit,
Infantes cum livore.

Qui natus de virgine
Die hodierna
Ducat nos cum gratia
Ad gaudia superna.

O et A et A et O
Cum cantibus in choro,
Cum canticis et organo,
Benedicamus Domino.

In Dulci Jubilo, track 2

Instrumental.

In Bethlehem (Congaudeat), track 3

With merry heart let all rejoice in one;
The mother maid hath now brought forth her son
In Bethlehem.

An angel's voice declared the Saviour's birth,
Glory to God, goodwill and peace on earth,
In Bethlehem.

The shepherd's sped to see this wondrous thing
And found the babe, the which is Christ our King
In Bethlehem.

Both ox and ass, adoring in the byre,
In mute acclaim pay homage to our Sire
In Bethlehem.

As custom was, the babe when eight days old
Received his name of Jesus, long foretold
In Bethlehem.

Three kings bowed low to infant majesty
And brought three gift to hail the Trinity
In Bethlehem.

Now bless we Christ, eternal glory's King,
And Christ bless us, as to his praise we sing,
In Bethlehem.

The Coventry Carol, Track 4

Lully lulla, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay.

Oh sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling, for whom we do sing,
By by, lully lullay|?

Lully lulla…

Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All young children to slay.

Lully lulla…

That woe is me, poor child for thee!
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting neither say nor sing
By by lully lullay!

Lully lulla…

Nous voici dans la ville, track 5

Joseph: We've come here to the city where in the days of old
Was born the great King David, the holiest king we're told.
Mary: Now let us raise our thoughts up to God, who brought us here
Safe upon our journey as night is drawing near.

Joseph: Now Mary, my dear wife, let's try this house I say.
It looks to be an inn where we might safely stay.
Mary: A word please, of your kindness, don't you have here in your place,
A room where we can stay, even just a little space?

Innkeeper: You're wasting your time, sir, you've come too late by far.
My house is overflowing - go try some other door.
Mary: Oh Joseph, your arm please, I can't walk another pace;
I am so very tired, please try another place.

Joseph: Good landlord of The Crown, do you have a room to spare?
A room for just two people, or just a bench that's bare?
Innkeeper: But I have high-class guests here - the rich sort, you understand?
I've no time for the needy, so just get off my land!
All: To such desperation Joseph was reduced;
He finds a simple stable where they can take their rest.
It is the only shelter to save them from the cold,
And so all came to pass as the prophet had foretold.

Alma Redemptoris Mater, track 6

Instrumental.

Nova nova, track 7

Nova, nova, Ave fit ex Eva.
Gabriel of high degree,
He came down from Trinity,
From Nazareth to Galilee.
Nova, nova.

Nova, nova, Ave fit ex Eva.
I met a maiden in a place,
I kneeled down afore her face
And said, "Hail Mary, full of grace!"
Nova, nova.

Nova, nova, Ave fit ex Eva.
When the maiden heard tell of this
She was full sore abashed y-wis
And weened that she had done amiss.
Nova, nova.

Nova, nova, Ave fit ex Eva.
Then said the Angel, "Dread not thou,
For ye be conceived with great virtue,
Whose name shall be called Jesu".
Nova, nova.

Nova, nova, Ave fit ex Eva.
"It is not yet six weeks agone
Sin Elizabeth conceived John
As it was prophesied beforn."
Nova, nova.

Nova, nova, Ave fit ex Eva.
Then said the maiden, "Verily,
I am your servant right truly,
Ecce, ancilla Domini!"
Nova, nova.

Song of the Nuns of Chester, track 8

Qui creavit coelum,
Lully, lully, lu,
Nascitur in stabulo,
By, by, by, by, by,
Rex qui regit saeculum,
Lully, lully, lu.

Jospeh emit paniculum,
By, by, by, by, by,
Mater involvit puerum,
Lully, lully, lu,
Et ponit in praesepio,
By, by, by, by, by.

Inter animalia,
Lully, lully, lu,
Iacent mundi gaudia,
By, by, by, by, by,
Dulcis super omnia
Lully, lully, lu.

Lactat mater Domini,
By, by, by, by, by,
Osculatur parvulum,
Lully, lully, lu,
Et adorat Dominum,
By, by, by, by, by.

Roga mater filium,
Lully, lully, lu,
Ut det nobis gaudium,
By, by, by, by, by,
In perenni gloria,
Lully, lully, lu.

In sempiterna saecula,
By, by, by, by, by,
In aeternum et ultra,
Lully, lully, lu,
Det nobis sua gaudia,
By, by, by, by, by.

There is no rose, track 9

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu.
There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu:
Alleluia.

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu.
For in that rose contained was heaven and earth in little space:
Res miranda.

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu.
By that rose we may well see that he is God in persons three:
Pari forma.

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu.
The angels sungen the shepherds too, "Gloria in excelsis Deo":
Gaudeamus.

There is no rose of such virtue as is the rose that bare Jesu.
Leave we all this worldly mirth and follow we this joyful birth:
Transeamus.

Of a rose sing we, track 10

Of a rose singe we, misterium mirabile.
This rose is railed on a rys;
She hath brought the Prince of price,
And in this time sooth it is
Verisine semine.

Of a rose singe we, misterium mirabile.
This rose is red of colour bright,
Through whom our joye gan alight
Upon a Christesmasse night,
Claro David germine.

Of a rose singe we, misterium mirabile.
Of this rose was Christ y-bore,
To save mankind that was forlore,
And us alle from sinnes sore,
Prophetarum carmine.

Of a rose singe we, misterium mirabile.
This rose, of flowres she is flower;
She ne will fade for no shower;
To sinful men she sent succour,
Mira plenitudine.

Of a rose singe we, misterium mirabile.
This rose is so fair of hue;
In maid Mary that is so true
Y-borne was lord of virtue,
Salvator sine crimine.

Wonder tidings, track 11

What tidings bringest thou messenger, of Christes birth this jolly day?
A babe is born of high nature,
The Prince of peace that ever shall be.
Of heaven and earth he has the cure,
His lordship is eternity.
Such wonder tidings ye may hear,
What tidings bringest thou messenger, of Christes birth this jolly day?
That man is made now Goddes peer
Whom sin had made but fiendes prey.

What tidings bringest thou messenger, of Christes birth this jolly day?
That seemeth strange to us to see,
This bird that hath this babe yborn
And Lord conceived of high degree,
A maiden is, as was beforn.
Such wonder tidings ye may hear,
What tidings bringest thou messenger, of Christes birth this jolly day?
That maiden and mother is one in fere,
And she a lady of great array.

What tidings bringest thou messenger, of Christes birth this jolly day?
That loveliest gan greet her child,
"Hail son! Hail brother! Hail father dear!"
"Hail daughter! Hail sister! Hail mother mild!"
This hailing was on quaint manere.
Such winder tidings ye may hear,
What tidings bringest thou messenger, of Christes birth this jolly day?
That hailing was of so good cheer
That mannes pain is turned to play.

If you would like to contact Trouvère Medieval Minstrels then email paul@medievalminstrels.com

or write to us at

Trouvère, Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, Off Stonegate, York YO1 8AR

Tel no. 0772 0118406