A, a, a, a, Nunc gaudet Maria

Words and Music: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century
Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 16

1. Mary is a lady bright,
She hath a Son of mickle might,
Over all this world she is light,
Bona natalicia.

2. Mary is so fair of face,
And her Son is full of grace,
In heaven (may) He make us a place,
Cum sua potencia.

3. Mary is so fair and bright,1
And her Son so full of might, 1
Over all this world He is light, 1
Bona voluntaria.

4. Mary is both good and kind,
Ever on us she hath mind,
That the fiend shall us not bind2
Cum sua malicia.

5. Mary is queen of every thing,
And her Son a lovely king;
God grant us all (a) good ending;
Regnat Dei gracia.

Notes:

1. Text: swote -- boot -- boot Return

2. Text: shend = hurt. Return