Sunday Poetry - Christmas

This is another favourite carol, a translation of the Latin Puer nobis nascitur. It dates back to at least the 14th century in a manuscript in Moosburg, Germany but has also been found in French & Finnish collections. The O & A in the last verse stand for Omega & Alpha. I have several different versions of this carol on CD but here is the choir of King's College, Cambridge from 2003.

Unto us is born a son,
King of choirs supernal:
See on earth his life begun,
Of lords the Lord eternal.

Christ, from heav'n descending low,
Comes on earth a stranger;
Ox and ass their Owner know
Now cradled in a manger.

This did Herod sore affray,
And did him bewilder,
So he gave the word to slay,
And slew the little childer.

Of his love and mercy mild
Hear the Christmas story:
O
 that Mary's gentle Child
Might lead us up to glory!

O and A and A and O,
Cantemus in choro,
Voice and organ, sing we so,
Benedicamus Domino.