Als I Lay on Yoolis Night | English Medieval Christmas Song

Vocalists: Donna Deam, Kristine Szulik Fidele: Lucie Skeaping Psaltery: Martin Best The original text is in Middle English: (the translation is from the Oxford Anthology of Medieval Music) ________________ Lullay, lullay, lay lay, lullay, Mi deere moder, synge lullay... Als I lay on Yoolis Night, Alone in my longynge, Me thought I saw a well faire sight, A maid hir childe rockynge. The maiden wolde withouten song Hir childe aslepe to brynge; The childe him thought sche ded him wrong, And bad his moder synge. “Synge now, moder,“ saide the childe, “Wat schal to me befall Heerafter wan I cum til eld, For so doon modres all. “Swete moder, faire and fre, Because that it is so, I pray thee that thou lulle me And synge sumwat therto.“ “Swete sune,“ saide sche, “Weroffe schuld I synge? Ne wist I nere yet more of thee But Gabriels gretynge. “He grett me goodli on his knee And saide, ’O Hail, Marie! Hail, full of grace, God is with thee; Thou beren schald Messie.’“ ----------------- Lullay, lullay, lay lay, lullay, My dear mother, sing lullay... As I lay on Yule night, Alone in my longing, I thought I saw a fair sight, A maiden rocking her child. The maiden wanted without a song To bring her child to sleep; The child thought she did him wrong, And bade his mother sing. “Sing now, mother,“ said the child, “About what shall befall me Hereafter when I become old, For all mothers do this. “Sweet mother, fair and free, Because it is so, I pray you that you lull me And sing to me the while.“ “Sweet son,“ said she, “Wherefore should I sing? I never knew anymore about you But Gabriel’s greeting. “He greeted me kindly on his knee And said, ’Hail Mary! Hail, full of grace, God is with you; You shall bear the Messiah.’“