Lyr. Add: When Christ Was Born of Mary Free
Carol c. 1500. MS British Museum

1
When Christ was born of Mary free,
In Bethlehem that fair city,
Angels did sing with mirth and glee,
In excelsis gloria.

Chorus-
In excelsis gloria!
In excelsis gloria!
In excelsis gloria!
In excelsis gloria!

2
Herdsmen beheld those angels bright,
To them appearing with great light,
And said, "God's Son is born this night"
In excelsis gloria.
3
This King is come to save mankind,
As in scriptures we do find,
Therefore this song have we in mind,
In excelsis gloria.
4
Then, Lord, for Thy great grace,
Grant us the bliss to see Thy face,
That we may sing to Thy solace
In excelsis gloria.

Christo paremus canticum, Excelsis gloria. Harleian MS, 15th c.
Music Arthur H. Brown.
Ramsden, Bramley and Stainer, "Christmas Carols Old and New," Novello et al., 1871.

From Wm. J. Phillips, "Carols, their Origin, Music, and Connection with Mystery Plays," Routledge & Sons London, Button & Co., Boston.

Also "Hymns and Carols of Christmas,"
Hymns and Carols