by Robert Herrick (1591 - 1674)
The star‑song Matches original text
Language: English
Tell us, thou clear and heavenly tongue, Where is the Babe but lately sprung? Lies he the lily-banks among? Or say, if this new Birth of ours Sleeps, laid within some ark of flowers, Spangled with dew-light; thou canst clear All doubts, and manifest the where. Declare to us, bright star, if we shall seek Him in the morning's blushing cheek, Or search the beds of spices through, To find him out? Star. No, this ye need not do; But only come and see Him rest A Princely Babe in's mother's breast. He's seen, He's seen! why then around, Let's kiss the sweet and holy ground; And all rejoice, that we have found A King before conception crown'd. Come then, come then, and let us bring Unto our pretty Twelfth-tide King, Each one his several offering; And when night comes, we'll give Him wassailing; And that His treble honours may be seen, We'll choose Him King, and make His mother Queen.
Composition:
- Set to music by Kenneth Leighton (1929 - 1988), "The star-song", op. 25 no. 1, from Three Carols, no. 1
Text Authorship:
- by Robert Herrick (1591 - 1674), "The star-song", subtitle: "A Carol to the King sung at Whitehall"
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-01-24
Line count: 24
Word count: 161