Enixa est Puerpera (Advent/Christmas Carol in Medieval Style)

James J. Richardson’s setting of Enixa est Puerpera, a 15th century English / Latin poem to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Written in a jaunty Medieval style, this selection is sure to please!

Our Lady was so fair and bright!
      Velut maris stella (Just as the ‘Star of the Sea’)
She brought forth Jesu full of might,
      Parens et puella! (Mother, yet a Maiden)

Lady, flow’r of allë thing:
      Rosa sine spina (O Rose without thorn!)
That barèst Jesu, Heav’nly King
      Gracia Divina! (The Grace Divine!)

All this worldë was forlore,
      Eva peccatrice, (from sinful Eve)
Till that Jesu was y bore, [was born there]
      De te, genetrice. (Of Thou, O Mother)

Of all women Thou art blest!
      Felix fecundata, (O favored and fruitful one)
To all weary, Thou art rest!
      Mater honorata. (O Mother most honored)

Well I know He is Thy Son!
      Ventre quem portasti; (Whom You carried in Your womb)
There will He grant Thee Thy boon,
      Infans quem lactasti. (The Babe Whom You nursed)

How sweet He is, how meek He is!
      Nullus memoravit; (No one has recalled / no one can recount it all)
In heav’n He is, and heav’nly bliss
      Nobis preparavit! (He has prepared for us)

Of all wom’n Thou bear’st the prize!
      Mater gratiosa! (O gracious Mother)
Grant us allë paradise!
      Virgo Gloriosa! (O Glorious Virgin)

(Translation by James J. Richardson & Jon Wheeler, 2023)

A full suite of practice tracks is available here.

_________

NB: when you purchase this file, you will download a “zipped” (compressed) file folder. Right click on the file and choose “unzip” or “decompress” and then a normal folder will be revealed which contains TWO PDF’s:

1.) Normal US Letter for printing on any standard printer
2.) 11×17 “booklet” (flip on short edge) for printing on copy machines