Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Novi partus gaudium

Traditional

“Novi partus gaudium” as printed in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 308 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

Let the faithful raise the lay

To the new-born King to-day:

That the Light of Light would come

From the Virgin's holy womb:

Purging Adam's guilt away,

Shedding joy and scattering gloom.

Verse 2

Long had darkness reigned around:

Light and freedom none were found,

Hope of exit none in ken

For the fallen tribes of men,

Whom the Prince of this world bound

Fast within his doleful den.

Verse 3

From the dungeon and the cave

Had the Law no power to save:

While the wounded traveller lay

Breathing of his soul away,

There the Priest no aidance gave,

Verse 4

So the Levite, passing by,

On him cast an idle eye:

For the Law, that sin displayed,

Showed its stain, but gave no aid,

Till to succour her drew nigh,

Grace, with mightier powers arrayed.

Verse 5

Prophet's staff was sent before,

But the child was ne'er the more

Raised to life, until He came

Who had sent afore the same:

God and man, whom Mary bore,

Taking of an infant frame.

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, “Novi partus gaudium”

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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