Unto Us is Born a Son
Encyclopedia
Puer nobis nascitur, usually translated as Unto Us is Born a Son, is a medieval Christmas carol
found in a number of manuscript sources - the 14th century German Moosburg Gradual and a 15th century Trier manuscript. The Moosburg Gradual itself contained a number of melodies derived from the 12 and 13th century organum
repertories of Notre Dame de Paris
and the Abbey of Saint Martial, Limoges, suggesting that its antiquity may be much greater.
The song was first published in the 1582 Finnish
song book Piae Cantiones
, a volume of 74 medieval songs with Latin texts collected by Jaakko Suomalainen, a Finnish Lutheran
cleric, and published by T.P. Rutha, a Catholic
printer. The song book had its origins in the libraries of cathedral song schools
, whose repertory also had strong links with medieval Prague
, where clerical students from Finland and Sweden had studied for generations. Songs from Piae Cantiones continued to be performed in Finland until the 19th century.
The book became well known in Britain after a rare original copy of Piae Cantiones owned by Peter of Nyland was given as a gift to the British Minister in Stockholm
. He subsequently gave it to John Mason Neale
in 1852, and it was from this copy that Neale, in collaboration with Thomas Helmore
published songs in two collections in 1853 and 1854 respectively, although this carol was not included in either.
The carol became popular as a processional hymn
following a translation by George Ratcliffe Woodward
(1859-1934) first published in 1902. Percy Dearmer
also translated the hymn for inclusion in the 1928 Oxford Book of Carols
as Unto Us a Boy is Born. Both translations are commonly used.
Robert Cummings of the All Music Guide
notes that "Its text speaks of the birth of Christ and of his mission on Earth. The melody is glorious in its triumphant character and ecstatic devotional sense...a radiant hymn of strong appeal, brighter and more colorful than most of the chants emerging from and before the fourteenth century." He goes on to suggest that the first phrase and indeed the whole melody resembles the much later hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past
.
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
found in a number of manuscript sources - the 14th century German Moosburg Gradual and a 15th century Trier manuscript. The Moosburg Gradual itself contained a number of melodies derived from the 12 and 13th century organum
Organum
Organum is, in general, a plainchant melody with at least one added voice to enhance the harmony, developed in the Middle Ages. Depending on the mode and form of the chant, a supporting bass line may be sung on the same text, the melody may be followed in parallel motion , or a combination of...
repertories of Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame school
The group of composers working at or near the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris from about 1160 to 1250, along with the music they produced, is referred to as the Notre Dame school, or the Notre Dame School of Polyphony....
and the Abbey of Saint Martial, Limoges, suggesting that its antiquity may be much greater.
The song was first published in the 1582 Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
song book Piae Cantiones
Piae Cantiones
Piae Cantiones ecclesiasticae et scholasticae veterum episcoporum is a collection of late medieval Latin songs first published in 1582. It was compiled by Jacobus Finno or Jaakko Suomalainen , a clergyman who was headmaster of the cathedral school at Turku...
, a volume of 74 medieval songs with Latin texts collected by Jaakko Suomalainen, a Finnish Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
cleric, and published by T.P. Rutha, a Catholic
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
printer. The song book had its origins in the libraries of cathedral song schools
Cathedral school
Cathedral schools began in the Early Middle Ages as centers of advanced education, some of them ultimately evolving into medieval universities. Throughout the Middle Ages and beyond, they were complemented by the monastic schools...
, whose repertory also had strong links with medieval Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, where clerical students from Finland and Sweden had studied for generations. Songs from Piae Cantiones continued to be performed in Finland until the 19th century.
The book became well known in Britain after a rare original copy of Piae Cantiones owned by Peter of Nyland was given as a gift to the British Minister in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. He subsequently gave it to John Mason Neale
John Mason Neale
John Mason Neale was an Anglican priest, scholar and hymn-writer.-Life:Neale was born in London, his parents being the Revd Cornelius Neale and Susanna Neale, daughter of John Mason Good...
in 1852, and it was from this copy that Neale, in collaboration with Thomas Helmore
Thomas Helmore
Thomas Helmore was a choirmaster, writer about singing and author and editor of hymns and carols.Helmore's father was a congregationalist minister...
published songs in two collections in 1853 and 1854 respectively, although this carol was not included in either.
The carol became popular as a processional hymn
Processional hymn
A processional hymn is a chant, hymn or other music sung during the Procession, usually at the start of a Christian service although occasionally during the service itself. The procession usually contains members of the clergy and the choir walking behind the processional cross...
following a translation by George Ratcliffe Woodward
George Ratcliffe Woodward
George Ratcliffe Woodward was an Anglican priest who wrote mostly religious verse, both original and translated from ancient authors. The best-known of these were written to fit traditional melodies, mainly of the Renaissance...
(1859-1934) first published in 1902. Percy Dearmer
Percy Dearmer
Percy Dearmer, was an English priest and liturgist best known as the author of The Parson's Handbook, a liturgical manual for Anglican clergy. A lifelong socialist, he was an early advocate of the public ministry of women and concerned with social justice...
also translated the hymn for inclusion in the 1928 Oxford Book of Carols
Oxford Book of Carols
The Oxford Book of Carols was published in 1928 by Oxford University Press. Its influence derives from its anthologists Percy Dearmer, Martin Shaw and Ralph Vaughan Williams and their choice of carol tunes, provision of new words for old tunes and the continuing reinvigoration of English church...
as Unto Us a Boy is Born. Both translations are commonly used.
Robert Cummings of the All Music Guide
All Music Guide
Allmusic is a service of music guide, owned by All Media Guide. Allmusic was founded in 1991 by popular-culture archivist Michael Erlewine as a guide for consumers. Its first reference book was published the following year...
notes that "Its text speaks of the birth of Christ and of his mission on Earth. The melody is glorious in its triumphant character and ecstatic devotional sense...a radiant hymn of strong appeal, brighter and more colorful than most of the chants emerging from and before the fourteenth century." He goes on to suggest that the first phrase and indeed the whole melody resembles the much later hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
O God, Our Help in Ages Past is a hymn by Isaac Watts and paraphrases Psalm 90. It originally consisted of nine stanzas. In present usage, however, the hymn is usually limited to stanzas one, two, three, five and nine...
.
Text
| Latin text of "Puer nobis nascitur" (1582) | English translation by George Ratcliffe Woodward George Ratcliffe Woodward George Ratcliffe Woodward was an Anglican priest who wrote mostly religious verse, both original and translated from ancient authors. The best-known of these were written to fit traditional melodies, mainly of the Renaissance... (1859-1934) |
English translation by Percy Dearmer Percy Dearmer Percy Dearmer, was an English priest and liturgist best known as the author of The Parson's Handbook, a liturgical manual for Anglican clergy. A lifelong socialist, he was an early advocate of the public ministry of women and concerned with social justice... (1867-1936) |
|---|---|---|
Puer nobis nascitur Rector angelorum; In hoc mundo pascitur Dominus dominorum. |
Unto us is born a son, King of choirs supernal: See on earth his life begun, Of lords the Lord eternal. |
Unto us a Boy is born, King of all creation: Came He to world forlorn, Lord of every nation. |
In præsepe ponitur Sub fœno asinorum. Cognoverunt dominum Christum regem cœlorum. |
Christ, from heav'n descending low, Comes on earth a stranger; Ox and ass their Owner know Now cradled in a manger. |
Cradled in a stall was He 'Midst the cows and asses; But the very beasts could see He all men surpasses. |
Hinc Herodes timuit - Magno cum dolore, Et pueros occidit, Infantes cum livore. |
This did Herod sore affray, And did him bewilder, So he gave the word to slay, And slew the little childer. |
Herod then with fear was filled: "A prince," he said, "in Jewry!" All the little boys he killed At Bethl'em in his fury. |
Qui natus est ex Marie - Die hodierna Ducat nos cum gratia Ad gaudia superna. |
Of his love and mercy mild Hear the Christmas story: O that Mary's gentle Child Might lead us up to glory! |
Now may Mary's Son, who came Long ago to love us, Lead us all with hearts aflame To the joys above us. |
O et A et A et O Cum cantibus in choro, Cum canticis et organo, Benedicamus domino. |
O and A and A and O, Cantemus in choro, Voice and organ, sing we so, Benedicamus Domino. |
Omega and Alpha He! Let the organ thunder, While the choir with peals of glee Rends the air asunder. |
External links
- Unto Us is Born a Son at Hymns and Carols of Christmas.