A Christmas song from medieval England dating to around the early 14th century. It is here performed by the Martin Best Ensemble on the album "Thys Yool", which contains a very enjoyable collection of medieval Christmas music:
[ Ссылка ]
Vocalists: Donna Deam, Kristine Szulik
Fidele: Lucie Skeaping
Psaltery: Martin Best
The original text is in Middle English: (the translation is from the Oxford Anthology of Medieval Music)
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Lullay, lullay, lay lay, lullay,
Mi deere moder, synge lullay...
Als I lay on Yoolis Night,
Alone in my longynge,
Me thought I saw a well faire sight,
A maid hir childe rockynge.
The maiden wolde withouten song
Hir childe aslepe to brynge;
The childe him thought sche ded him wrong,
And bad his moder synge.
"Synge now, moder," saide the childe,
"Wat schal to me befall
Heerafter wan I cum til eld,
For so doon modres all.
"Swete moder, faire and fre,
Because that it is so,
I pray thee that thou lulle me
And synge sumwat therto."
"Swete sune," saide sche,
"Weroffe schuld I synge?
Ne wist I nere yet more of thee
But Gabriels gretynge.
"He grett me goodli on his knee
And saide, 'O Hail, Marie!
Hail, full of grace, God is with thee;
Thou beren schald Messie.'"
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Lullay, lullay, lay lay, lullay,
My dear mother, sing lullay...
As I lay on Yule night,
Alone in my longing,
I thought I saw a fair sight,
A maiden rocking her child.
The maiden wanted without a song
To bring her child to sleep;
The child thought she did him wrong,
And bade his mother sing.
"Sing now, mother," said the child,
"About what shall befall me
Hereafter when I become old,
For all mothers do this.
"Sweet mother, fair and free,
Because it is so,
I pray you that you lull me
And sing to me the while."
"Sweet son," said she,
"Wherefore should I sing?
I never knew anymore about you
But Gabriel's greeting.
"He greeted me kindly on his knee
And said, 'Hail Mary!
Hail, full of grace, God is with you;
You shall bear the Messiah.'"
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Thank you,
Rex Falsus
Disclaimer: All the music and images in this video belong to their rightful owners and creators, to whom all credit goes. I am not making a profit from this video, but intend it purely for educational purposes and to expose more people to these wonderful works. I do not intend any copyright infringement and will gladly remove this video if asked to.
