Wednesday 25 December 2019

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

MERRY CHRISTMAS
to all who celebrate!

Here's one of my most favourite carols
for this special day --

Under the medieval Octagon of Ely Cathedral in England,
the Gesualdo Six sing the beautiful German carol
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
(Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming)
composed by Michael Praetorius in 1609.



English translation:

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung;
Of Jesse’s lineage coming,
As men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright,
She bore to us a Saviour,
When half spent was the night.

O Saviour, Child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe,
O Saviour, King of glory,
Who dost our weakness know;
Bring us at length we pray,
To the bright courts of Heaven,
And to the endless day.

35 comments:

jaz@octoberfarm said...

i love this! so beautiful. merry xmas!!!

Brian Joseph said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family Debra.

Frank said...

That was very nice to wake up to. Thanks.
Christmas Greetings, Buon Natale e Tanti Auguri della Stagione.

Parnassus said...

Hello Debra, I hope that the season gives you whatever you are seeking from it. I also hope that Santa ponies up with whatever you requested. After all, it's not that far to Canada, so she (we know her secret!) can easily deliver an extra-large amount of presents.
--Jim

anne marie in philly said...

and a peaceful day to you and your rare one!

Marie Smith said...

I remember singing that in a choir as a child. Just beautiful. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Leanna said...

Christmas Blessings for you and your rare one, darlin.

Kay G. said...

God bless you for sharing this! You know I love it.
Merry Christmas!

Bob said...

Merry Merry!

bobbie said...

Glorious!!!

DEZMOND said...

Some of them are blooming hot :) Merry Christmas, Debs!

This N That said...

Beautiful..Thanks for sharing..Merry Christmas to you both..

Dr. Theda said...

Merry Christmas, dear Lady Debra to you and yours

Magic Love Crow said...

This is so beautiful Debra! Merry Christmas to you and your Rare One! Big Hugs!

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

Very pretty!
I’m not much into carols, but this is pretty.

Merry Xmas!

XoXo

Kelly said...

I'm not sure which is more beautiful... the music or the surroundings! Lovely!!

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

May you both have a warm and cosy Christmas!

nothoughtsnoprayersnonothing said...

A beautiful song and translation. I am/was not familiar with it. Thank you! :)

Martha said...

Merry Christmas, Debra! I hope you had a wonderful day!

Adam said...

Happy Santa Day

roughterrain crane said...

Wishing you enjoy this holiday in good health.

Bob Johns said...

Merry Christmas!

Willym said...

Do hope you and your rare one had a lovely Christmas

Susan said...

What a beautiful sound! Thank you for sharing this.

Bill Lisleman said...

Merry Christmas and wishing you a bright beautiful new year

This N That said...

Beautiful..We used to sing that in church..(They probably still do)..Nice to hear it again..thanks..

The Captain said...

Good Yule to you and yours... Hope you are having a wonderful time.

Rommy said...

Very pretty tune!

e said...

It's a beautiful song, well sung.

Curiously, the man in the turban, presumably a Sikh, is only shown in one frame. The rest of the singers have plenty of camera time. Hmmm...

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ e -- Yeah, I noticed that too. I thought the excessive focus on the others was uncalled for.

Ur-spo said...

And a prosperous new year to you !

Busy Bee Suz said...

That is a beautiful hymn!! Merry (belated) Christmas to you and yours!!

The Captain said...

Hope you had a joyful Yule x

baili said...

lovely!!!

Merry Christmas my friend!
hugs!

mxtodis123 said...

Wishing you a very Happy New Year.