The Cyber Hymnal ‎#944

944. Come, Listen to My Story

1. Come, listen to my story,
Christus natus hodie:
Born is the King of glory,
Rex de Virgine.
Nowell, Nowell, good news I tell,
God comes on earth a stranger:
Eya! Emmanuel
Lies cradled in a manger.

2. Came angels down, a number,
On the midnight of His birth:
Ye shepherds, wake from slumber:
Peace, goodwill on earth,
And bliss on high, the angels cry,
To you is born and given,
Eya! of maid Marie,
Th’almighty Lord of Heaven.

3. Then rode three kings together,
Over desert, hill, and dale:
Naught caring for the weather,
Sleet, and snow, and hail.
They came from far, led by a star,
With beams that never vary:
Eya! full fain they are
To see the Babe of Mary.

4. Away then banish sorrow;
Nato Regi psallite;
Sith Christ is born this morrow,
Benedicte.
With angels eke and shepherds meek,
And with yon eastern sages,
Eya! let us go seek
The newborn King of ages.

Text Information

• First Line: Come, listen to my story
• Title: Come, Listen to My Story
• Author: George Ratcliffe Woodward (1902)
• Language: English
• Source: The Cowley Carol Book, 1902
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: THE NOBLE SHIRBE
• Harmonizer: J. R. Lunn
• Incipit: 34565 54323 13231
• Key: G Major
• Source: English tune from the 16th Century or earlier
• Copyright: Public Domain