A Virgin Most Pure John Rutter

A virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell
Harth brought forth a baby, as it hath befel
To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin
Which Adam's transgression hath wrapped us in

Aye and therefore be merry, rejoice and be you merry
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide

At Bethlem in Jewry a city there was
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass
And there to be taxed with many one mo'
For Caеsar commanded the same should bе so:
Aye and therefore be merry, rejoice and be you merry
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide

But when they had ent'red 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
Aye and therefore be merry, rejoice and be you merry
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide

Then they were constrain'd in a stable to lie
Where oxen and asses they used for to tie;
Their lodging so simple, the held it no scorn
But against the next morning our Saviour was born:
Aye and therefore be merry, rejoice and be you merry
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide