Be glad, lordynges, be ye more and lesse
Words and Music:
Traditional English
(From MS. Harl No. 5396, p. 18. This MS. appears to have been written in the
north; for on the page which contains the present carol are written, in nearly a
contemporary hand, the words, "Wyl3am
Northe of Yorke.")
Source: Thomas Wright, Specimens of old Christmas Carols, Selected from Manuscripts and Printed Books (London: The Percy Society, 1841)
Compare: Be Glad, Lordings,
Be Ye More Or Less (Puer nobis natus est) (Rickert)
Puer Nobis Natus Est
(Chambers & Sidgwick)
This carol requires
the installation of the "Junius Modern" font for best display.
See notes in F A Q
Puer nobis natus est,
de virgine Maria
Be glad, lordynges, be ye more and lesse
I bryng 3ou tydynges of gladnesse,
As Gabryel me beryth wetnesse,
dicam vobis quia.
I bryng 3ou tydynges that ben gode,
Mary hath borne a blysful foude,
That bo3t us all upon the rode,
sua morte pia.
For the trespas of Adam,
For the fadyr of hevyn he cam,
Here-to myrthhe us bygan,
teste profecia.
Mary, modr and leve virgyn,
That bare of child wyth-outen syn,
Kepe us all fro hell pyn,
de virgine Maria.
