A Christmas
motet, origin
unattributed, but with the music it has been dated to the 15th Century.
Refrain : (whole choir)
Ther is no rose of swych vertu
As is the rose that bare Jhesu.
Verse : (two voices)
1. Ther is no rose of swych vertu
As is the rose that bare Jhesu.
Alleluya
2. For in this rose conteynyd was
Heven and erthe in lytyl space,
Res miranda.
3. Be that rose we may weel see
That He is God in personys thre,
Pares forma.
4. The aungelys sungyn the shepherdes to:
Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gaudeamus.
5.Leave we all this wearldly mirth,
And follow we this joyful birth,
Transeamus.
John Joubert (1927-) also set these words to music in 1954, updating them in the process. Whilst his setting is more harmonically interesting and developed and complex, it lacks the simple beauty that you find in the 15th century version.