A Virgin Queen in Bethlehem

A Virgin Queen in Bethlehem

For Christmas Day

Author: Unknown

Tune: Unknown

From

The Kilmore Carols

Christmas Carols of Waddinge and Devereux

Source: Joseph Ranson, “The Kilmore Carols” from The Past, no. 5 (1949), pp. 99-102.

A Virgin Queen In Bethlehem. this day brought forth our Saviour,
To our young King, we’ll praise and sing our victory for ever.

Hail! Sovereign Prince, our soul’s defence, oh! Welcome Heavenly Stranger.
Is there no inn or place for Him but in a stall or manger?

(The first verse is repeated after each stanza).

God’s own Son doth humbly come from heavenly high treasure,
To teach proud man the way to Heaven is not by pomp or pleasure.

Ye Christians who would pity show to Christ in mean condition,
To weep for sin which was the thing, you will hear of His affliction.

God, One and Three, that great decree in Heaven’s high council signed.
Poor man to make to His own chape for lasting joys designed.

The Son Himself for our relief, to pay for our transgression,
A Man to be offered so free with love beyond expression.

Must I adore or kneel before a man, so mean a creature”
“Not!,” said he, “I’d rather be a rebel, devil or traitor”

“I'll fix a throne where I alone like God Himself will slitter,
And man to me shall bend the knee and own me for his better.”

Thus vaunting stood that false proud god to the angels all around him;
Some were pleased, more stood amazed, till Michael did confound them.

The Archangel stout cried out aloud—'Who is our God for ever?
Can we withstand His dread command’ Let us adore our Saviour.”

Proud Lucifer prevailed so far, the third part did him follow;
But with one blast they all were cast, and Hell did down them swallow.

Here they remain in constant pain, yet scorn to honour Jesus,
And to have men of their own clan, they tempt us and deceive us.

I grieve to tell how Adam fell by Satan’s false persuasion,
And by his fall had damned us all and left us no salvation.

For poor mankind was made so blind by the Devil, the Flesh and Adam,
They did adore and kneel before dull sticks and stones for Satan.

Cursed be his pride who false contrived to cheat Eve with his story;
But for this Day we all might say, farewell our hopes of glory.

Glory and praise shall never cease to Him Who us redeemed;
The Angels fair left in despair and poor mankind redeemed

Not one of men would e’er see Heaven had not Christ for us suffered:
But all our sins He took on Him, for which He’s scoffed and murdered,

But why such pain, such toil, such shame, did God take to redeem us?
Did not His breath make Heaven and earth; could not the same relieve us?

But man alone could ne’er atone or or Appease his God affronted,
He being too mean for to obtain the pardon which he wanted.

‘Twas mercy alone that moved God’s Son to be made Man that saved us,
And Satan now to Man must bow, submit and honour Jesus.

So as man did fail His Justice called a man should satisfy Him,
And by His grace regain his place, mock Satan and defy him.

Then happy we who now may see the Devil by man confounded,
And hope we may at the Last Day see Christ in glory crowned.

Where His throne shall shine on clouds sublime by the heavenly choirs attended;
May we then stand at His right hand to see His foes confounded.

Oh! God, that snake made us to break Thy laws and did deceive us;
Jesus, we see what it cost Thee; we’ll sin no more; forgive us.

Our Church defend and a happy end gain for us all, Sweet Jesus;
Prolong in peace our poet’s days, those pious songs to teach us.

Note from Joseph Ranson:

This song, although copied into the modern manuscripts of the Kilmore Carol Singers, is no longer sung nor do the singers know the air to which the words were set.