Words: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 12.
Hail Mary, full of grace, Mother in virginity.
1. The Holy Ghost is to thee sent From the Father Omnipotent, Now is God within thee went, The angel said "Ave."
2. When the angel ave began, Flesh and blood together ran; Mary bare both God and man, Through virtue and pure dignity.
3. So saith the gospel of Saint John: God and man is made but one, In flesh and blood, body and bone, One God in Persons Three.
4. And the Prophet Jeremy1 Told in his prophecy That the Son of Mary Should die for us on the Rood-tree.
5. He to us much joy did grant And of peace on earth no want, Since the birth of this Infant In the land of Galilee.
6. Mary grant to us thy bliss Where thy Son His dwelling is; For what we have done amiss Pray for grace for charity. Amen.