Scripture Verse

She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger. Luke 2:7

Introduction

Words: 15th Cen­tu­ry. Found in the Har­lei­an ma­nu­scripts of the Brit­ish Mu­se­um (num­ber 5396, folio 273b), cir­ca 1456.

Music: Ar­thur H. Brown, in Car­ols Old and Car­ols New, by Charles L. Hut­chins (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Par­ish Choir, 1916), num­ber 610 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Brown,

portrait
Arthur Brown (1830–1926)

Lyrics

When Christ was born of Ma­ry free,
In Beth­le­hem that fair ci­ty,
Angels sang there with mirth and glee,

Refrain

In ex­cel­sis glo­ria,
In ex­cel­sis glo­ria,
In ex­cel­sis glo­ria,
In ex­cel­sis glo­ria,
In ex­cel­sis glo­ria.

Herdsmen be­held these an­gels bright,
To them ap­pearing with great light,
Who said God’s Son is born to­night,

Refrain

The King is come to save man­kind,
As in Scrip­ture truths we find,
Therefore this song we have in mind,

Refrain

Then, dear Lord, for Thy great grace
Grant us in bliss to see Thy face,
That we may sing to Thy so­lace,

Refrain