Voices United ‎#8

8. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

1 Lo, how a rose, e'er blooming,
from tender stem hath sprung,
of Jesse's lineage coming
as seers of old have sung.
It came a blossom bright,
amid the cold of winter
when half spent was the night.

2 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 for us a Saviour
when half-spent was the night.

French:

1 D'un arbre séculaire,
du vieux tronc d'Isaï,
durant l'hiver austère,
un frais rameau jaillit;
et, sur le sol durci,
dans la nuit calme et claire,
une rose a fleuri.

2 Dieu, par leur voix fervente,
de nombreux serviteurs,
à son peuple en attente,
promettait un Sauveur.
Il vient, suprême honneur,
chez une humble servante,
toute à son pur bonheur.

Text Information

• First Line: Lo, how a rose e'er blooming (D'un arbre séculaire)
• Title: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
• Translator (into English): Theodore Baker (1894)
• Translator (into French): L. Monastier
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 6 7 6
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: Biblical Characters: Isaiah; Biblical Characters: Jesse; Biblical Characters: Mary, Mother of Jesus; Christian Year: Advent; Jesus Christ: Atonement; Jesus Christ: Images of; Jesus Christ: Incarnation; Light; Prophets; Salvation; Advent 2: Year A; Advent 3: Year A; Advent 4: Year A; Advent 4: Year B; Advent 1: Year C; Advent 2: Year C; Christmas Eve: Year C; Christmas Day 1: Year C; Epiphany: Year C
• Source: German, 15th century

Tune Information

• Name: ES IST EIN' ROS
• Harmonizer: Michael Praetorius (1609)
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 6 7 6
• Key: F Major
• Source: German traditional melody 1599