Lyr Add: A Virgin Unspotted

Subject: Lyr Add: A VIRGIN UNSPOTTED
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 20 Dec 00 - 08:25 PM

This is a traditional West Country carol from The Oxford Song Book Vol II, 1928. I like it because of its simplicity. I'll be posting the tune to MMario, but it could probably be sung to one of the variants of Away In The Manger.

Regards, John

A VIRGIN UNSPOTTED

1. A virgin unspotted, as the prophets do tell,
Hath brought forth a babe, as it hath her befell,
To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin,
Which Adam's transgression hath wrapt us all in.
Chorus Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside,
Christ Jesus, our Saviour, was born at this tide .

2. In Bethlehem city, in Jewry it was,
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
And there to be taxed, with many one mo,'
For Caesar commanded the same should be so.
Chorus Rejoice and be merry, etc .

3. But, when they had entered the city so fair,
The number of people so mighty was there,
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
Could get in the city no lodging at all.
Chorus Rejoice and be merry, etc.

4. Then they were constrained in a stable to lie,
Where oxen and asses they used to tie ,
Their lodging so simple , they held it no scorn,
But against the next morning our Saviour was born.
Chorus Rejoice, etc.

5. The King of all Glory to the world being brought,
Small store of fine linen to wrap him was wrought,
When Mary had swaddled her young Son so sweet,
Within an ox manger she laid him to sleep.
Chorus Rejoice, etc.

6. Then God sent an Angel from heaven so high,
To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,
And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay,
Because that our Saviour was born on this day.
Chorus Rejoice, etc.

7. Then presently after, the Shepherds did spy
A number of Angels appear in the sky,
Who joyfully talked, and sweetly did sing,
To God be all Glory, our Heavenly King.
Chorus Rejoice, etc.

8. Three certain Wise Princes, they thought it most meet
To lay their rich off'rings at our Saviour's feet,
Then the Shepherds consent, and to Bethlehem did go,
And when they came thither, they found it was so.
Chorus Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside,
Christ Jesus, our Saviour, was born at this tide.

Subject: RE: LYR/TUNE ADD: A Virgin Unspotted
From: GUEST,Wes in West Country
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 09:31 AM

A Variation on the chorus sung locally is:

Then let us be merry, drive sorrows away,
Our Saviour, Christ Jesus, was born on this day.

Subject: RE: LYR/TUNE ADD: A Virgin Unspotted
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 06:23 PM

Thanks Wes for the local knowledge - I prefer your lyrics for the chorus. Regards, John

Subject: RE: LYR/TUNE ADD: A Virgin Unspotted
From: Stewart
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 07:04 PM

In Oxford Book of Carols 26th ed, 1965. Slightly different words.

A Virgin Most Pure

A virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell,..

Chorus:Aye, and therefore be merry, rejoice and be you merry,set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.
It has three different tunes.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: LYR/TUNE ADD: A Virgin Unspotted
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 07:21 PM

Four tunes for it collected by Cecil Sharp are in JFSS, #18, 1914. There are two more tunes, one from a hymn book of 1750, in an article on the carol by Frank Kidson, JFSS #20, 1916. There are two tunes for it in 'The New Oxford Book of English Carols', and one (Admiral Benbow) in Wm. Chappell's PMOT.

Subject: RE: LYR/TUNE ADD: A Virgin Unspotted
From: MMario
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 09:54 PM

midi has been sent to alan and nwc file to Joe