To the now, Crystys der derlyng
For Christmas, Easter
Words and Music:
Traditional English
Bodleian
Library. MS. Eng. Poet. e. 1. XV Century.
Source: Thomas Wright, Songs and Carols Now First Printed, From a Manuscript of the Fifteenth Century (London: The Percy Society, 1847), Song #x, printed verbatim from a manuscript probably owned by a professional musician, and apparently written in the latter half of the fifteenth century, circa 1471-1485.
This carol requires
the installation of the "Junius Modern" font for best display.
See notes in F A Q
Compare: To Thee Now, Christ's Dear Darling (Rickert)
Pray for us, thou prynce of pes, amici Christi, Johannes.
To the now, Crystys der derlyng,
That was a mayd bothe old and 3yng,
Myn hert is sett for to syng,
Amici
Christi, Johannes.
For he was so clene a maye,
On Crystys brest aslepe he laye,
The prevyteys of heyn ther he saye,
Amici
Christi, Johannes.
Qwhen Cryst before Pilate was browte,
Hys clene mayd forsoke hym nowte,
To deye with hym was all hys thowte,
Amici
Christi, Johannes.
Crystys modr was hym betake,
Won mayd to be anodyris make,
To help that we b enott forsake,
Amici
Christi, Johannes.
