Lo, how a Rose E’er Blooming

This Christmas and Marian hymn was translated from a 16th century German carol: several versions and tunes are used, this translation was made by Theodore Baker in 1894.

With meter 7.6.7.6.6.7.6, it is almost always set to the tune ES IST EIN ROS, composer unknown and first published in 1599.

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Examples

Professional choir, unaccompanied

Trio, unaccompanied:

Small group with banjo backing

Lyrics:

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 men a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found Him,
As angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True Man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.

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!