Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

In hoc Anni circulo

Traditional

“In hoc Anni circulo” as printed in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 305 1867 · historical text
Public domainHymnMediaeval song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences, edited by John Mason Neale, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

In the ending of the year

Light and life to man appear:

And the Holy Babe is here

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 2

What in ancient days was slain,

This day calls to life again:

God is coming here to reign

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 3

Adam ate the fruit and died:

But the curse that did betide

All his sons is turned aside

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 4

Noe shut the Ark of old,

When the Flood came, as is told:

Us its doors to-day enfold

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 5

Every creature of the plain

Owned the guileful serpent's reign:

He this happy day is slain

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 6

'Twas the Star the Sun that bore,

Which Salvation should restore;

But pollution ne'er the more

Touched the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 7

And they circumcise the Lord,

And His Blood for us is poured:

Thus Salvation is restored

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 8

In a manger is He laid:

Ox and Ass their worship paid:

Over Him her veil is spread

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 9

And the Heavenly Angels' tongue

Glory in the Highest sung:

And the shepherds o'er Him hung

With the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 10

Joseph watches o'er His rest:

Cold and sorrow Him infest:

He, an hungered, seeks the breast

Of the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Verse 11

Wherefore let our choir to-day

Banish sorrow far away,

Singing and exulting aye

With the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh Flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. Historical text published in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867), edited by John Mason Neale, “In hoc Anni circulo”

The 1867 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author or translator died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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