A lively setting of this 15th century English carol text, incorporating the Veni Creator Spiritus chant text. Driving rhythms and macaronic switches between Latin and English define this work; hand drum and tambourine round out the texture.

Text

A babe is born all of a may
To bring salvation unto us.
To him we sing both night and day:
Veni creator Spiritus.

At Bethlehem, that blessed place,
The child of bliss now born he was;
And him to serve God give us grace:
O lux beata Trinitas.

There came three kings out of the East
To worship the King that is so free
With gold and myrrh and frankincense:
A solis ortus cardine.

The herdes hearden an angel’s cry,
A merry song then sungen he.
“Why are ye all so sore aghast?”
Jam solis ortus cardine.

The angels came down with one cry,
A merry song then sungen they
All in the worship of that child:
Gloria tibi, Domine!