A Spotless Rose

A spotless Rose is growing
Sprung from a tender root,
Of ancient seers’ foreshowing,
Of Jesse promised fruit;
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter
And in the dark midnight.

The Rose which I am singing,
Whereof Isaiah said,
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary, purest Maid; 
For through our God’s great love and might
The blessed babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winter’s night.

~Words: Anonymous (15th Century German carol); Translated to English by Catherine Winkworth & Music: Michael Praetorius, Speier Gesangbuch, 1599

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