A VIRGIN MOST PURE

A Virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell,
Hath brought forth a Baby, as it hath befell,
To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,
Which Adam's transgression has wrappèd us in.

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And therefore be merry, set sorrow aside;
Christ Jesus our Savior was born on this tide.

In Bethlehem in Jewry, a city there was
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
All for to be taxed with many one more,
For Caesar commanded the same should be so.

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But when they had entered the city so fair
A number of people so mighty was there,
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
Could find in the inn there no lodging at all.

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Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,
Where horses and asses they used for to tie;
Their lodgings so simple they took it no scorn,
But against the next morning our Savior was born.

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The King of all kings to this world being brought,
Small store of fine linen to wrap him was sought,
But when she had swaddled her young Son so sweet,
Within an ox manger she laid Him to sleep.

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Then God sent an angel from heaven so high,
To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,
And bade them no longer in sorrow to stay,
Because that our Savior was born on this day.

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Then presently after the shepherds did spy
A number of angels that stood in the sky;
They joyfully talkèd and sweetly did sing,
To God be all glory, our heavenly King.

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