tender shoot hath started
up from a root of grace,
as ancient seers imparted,
from Jesse’s holy race,
it blooms without blight,
blooms in the cold bleak winter
turning darkness into light.
This shoot Isaiah taught us
from Jesse’s root should spring,
the Virgin Mary brought us
the branch of which we sing,
our God of endless might,
gave her this child to save us
thus turning darkness into light.

Words anonymous, 16th century
Music Otto Goldschmidt Tr.
William Bartholomew (1793–1867)