Behold a simple tender Babe (Joseph Edmund Mills)
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- Editor: John Murphy (submitted 2008-03-24). Score information: Letter, 1 page, 60 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Arranged by John Murphy.
General Information
Title: Behold a simple tender Babe
Composer: Joseph Edmund Mills
Lyricist: Robert Southwell (c. 1561–1595)
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn Meter: 86. 86. D (C.M.D.)
Language: English
Instruments:
First published: 1948
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Behold a simple tender Babe,
In freezing winter night.
I lowly manger trembling lies,
Alas! a piteous sight.
The inns are full; no man would yield
This little pilgrim bed.
But forced is He with silly beasts,
In crib to shroud His head.
Weigh not His crib, His wooden dish
Nor beasts that round Him press.
Weigh not His Mother's poor attire,
Nor Joseph's simple dress,
This stable is a prince's court,
His crib a chair of state.
The beasts are parcel of His pomp,
The wooden dish, His plate.
The persons in that poor attire
His royal liveries wear;
The Prince himself is come from Heaven,
His pomp is prized there,
With joy approach, O Christian soul
Do homage to thy King.
And highly prize His humble pomp,
Which He from heaven doth bring.