The Cyber Hymnal ‎#8373

8373. A Boy Is Born In Bethlehem

1 A Boy is born in Bethlehem,
Joy bringing to Jerusalem.
He lieth in a manger poor
Whose kingdom shall for aye endure.

2 The ox and ass knew and adored
The Infant that was Christ the Lord.
The kings of Saba came to bring
Gold, myrrh and incense to their king.

3 The offspring He of virgin bright,
Made mother by high Heaven’s might.
One after one the cot forlorn
Entering, they hail their prince new born.

4 The serpent’s venom knew Him not,
Though of our blood He chose His lot:
Made like to us in human kin,
Unlike us in respect of sin.

5 That like Him He might make us be,
And with Himself and God agree.
In this birth’s joy let all accord,
And bless for ever Christ the Lord.

Text Information

• First Line: A Boy is born in Bethlehem
• Title: A Boy Is Born In Bethlehem
• Latin Title: Puer natus in Bethlehem
• Translator: Henry I. D. Ryder
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: 14th Century Benedictine processional; Tr.: Annus Sanctus (Vol. 1) by Orby Shipley (London and New York: Burns & Oates, 1884)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: SALVETE FLORES by John B. Dykes

Tune Information

• Name: PUER NOBIS NASCITUR
• Adapter: Michael Praetorius
• Harmonizer: George R. Woodward (1910)
• Meter: LM
• Key: D Major
• Source: Trier manuscript, 15th Century
• Copyright: Public Domain