A Virgin Most Pure - Traditional

A virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell,
Hath brought forth a baby, as it hath befell,
To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin,
Which Adam's transgression had wrapped us all in.
Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside;
Christ Jesus our Savior is born on this tide.

In Bethlehem city, in Jewry it was,
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
And there to be taxed with many one more,
For Caesar commanded the same should be so.
Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside;
Christ Jesus our Savior is born on this tide.

But when they had entered the city so fair,
A number of people so mighty was there,
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
Could get in the city no lodging at all.
Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside;
Christ Jesus our Savior is born on this tide.

Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,
Where oxen and asses they used to tie;
And there they remained all that same night,
Wherein Jesus Christ was born for our light.
Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside;
Christ Jesus our Savior is born on this tide.

Then presently after, the shepherds did spy
Vast numbers of angels to stand in the sky;
They joyfully talked, and sweetly did sing,
To God be all glory, our heavenly King.
Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside;
Christ Jesus our Savior is born on this tide.

Three wise men of Orient, by star-light did ride
On camels proceeding, to Bethlehem they 'plied;
And there they presented, with humble accord,
To Jesus, their Saviour, their gifts to the Lord.
Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside;
Christ Jesus our Savior is born on this tide.

A Virgin Most Pure lyrics are characterized by their narrative detail and the repetitive refrain that invites the listener to rejoice. The song follows the story of Mary and Joseph as they find no room at the inn leading to the miraculous birth in a stable. It is a quintessential example of the English West Country caroling tradition. By singing the A Virgin Most Pure lyrics the congregation relives the journey of the Holy Family celebrating the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies and the beginning of the new era of grace brought by the Son of God born of a pure Virgin.