Original text:
Nowel syng we bothe al and som,
Now Rex Pacificus ys ycome.
Exortum est in love and lysse:
Now Cryst hys grace he gan us gysse,
And with hys body us bought to blysse.
Puer natus to us was sent,
To blysse us bought, fro bale us blent,
And ellys to wo we hadde ywent.
Gloria tibi ay and blysse:
God unto his grace he us wysse,
The rent of heven that we not mysse.
- 15thcentury English carol text
Modern english translation:
Let us sing 'Nowell', each and every one,
now that the King of Peace is come.
This has come to pass, in love and joy:
Christ has now prepared his grace for us,
and with his body has redeemed us unto bliss.
A boy-child was sent to us;
he redeemed us unto bliss, took us away from sorrow,
and we would otherwise have come to grief.
Glory to Thee always, and joy!
May God guide us to his grace,
so that we shall not lose the reward of heaven.
