The Virgin and Child - Steggall, Charles

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◈ Genre / Form Carols

♬ Voicing → SATB ¶ Language → English

Parts 4

Instruments A cappella

Pages 3

CPDL # 84124

Editor Douglas Walczak

Posted 2025-03-08

License Public Domain

¶Lyrics / Text

On yester night I saw a sight, A star as bright as day; And all along, I heard a song, Lullay, by by, lullay, lullay, lullay. 1. A lovely lady sat and sang, And to her child she spake: My Son, my Brother, Father dear, It makes my heart to ache, To sweet Thee there, so cold and bare, A King upon this hay; But hush Thy wail, I will not fail To sing by by, lullay, lullay, to sing by by, lullay, lullay; To sing by by lullay, lullay, lullay, lullay, lullay, lullay, lullay. 2. The Child then spake whilst she did sing, And to the maiden said: "Right sure I am a mighty King, Though in a crib My bed: For angels bright, Down to Me light; Thou canst not say Me nay: Then why so sad ? Thou mayest be glad To sing by by, lullay." 3. "Now, sweetest Lord, since Thou art King. Why liest Thou in a stall ? Why didst Thou not Thy cradle bring To some great royal hall ? Methinks 'tis right, That king or knight Should lie in good array; And them among, It were no wrong To sing by by, lullay." 4. "My Mother Mary, thine I be, Though I be laid in stall, Both lords and dukes shall worship Me, And so shall monarchs all: Ye shall well see That princes three, Shall come on the twelfth day: Then let Me rest Upon thy breast, And sing by by, lullay." 5. "Now tell me, sweetest Lord, I pray, Thou art my love and dear, How shall I nurse Thee to Thy mind, And make Thee glad of cheer ? For all Thy will I would fulfil, I need no more to say; And for all this I will Thee kiss, And sing by by, lullay," 6. "My Mother dear, when time it be, Then take Me up aloft, And set Me up upon thy knee, And handle Me full soft; And in thy arm, Thou wilt Me warm, And keep Me night and day: And if I weep, And may not sleep, Thou sing by by, lullay." 7. "Now, sweetest Lord, since it is so, That Thou art most of might, I pray Thee grant a boon to me, If it be meet and right; That child or man That will or can, Be merry on this day; To bliss them bring, And I shall sing, Lullay, by by, lullay."

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