Come, Love We God!
- Renée Coventry
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The rich theological tradition of Christmas carols continues with Come, Love We God! This hymn was written in the sixteenth century, though little more is known about its origins. It is believed to have been written by Richard Shanne, a priest in Methley, in 1611.
What makes this song unique is that it tells the story of the wisemen’s encounter with King Herod from Matthew 2:1-12. It is a strange topic for a Christmas carol, given that Herod murdered the infants of Bethlehem. What is also interesting is its reference in Latin to the prophecy of Balaam from the book of Numbers which states, “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab and destroy all the sons of tumult” (Num. 24:16).
The version I have chosen to share with you is brief and does not include all the verses listed below. However, the arrangement is fun, light, and joyful – ideal for the Christmas season despite lyrics that mention murder and mayhem. Below, I have included the translation notes for the Latin from The Shorter New Oxford Book of Carols, edited by Hugh Keyte and Andrew Parrott.
Come, Love We God!
Come, love we God! Of might is most
The Father, the Sonne, the Holie Goost,
Regnante jam in ethera (now reigning in heaven);
The which mayd man, both more and lesse,
And create him to his licknesse;
O quanta, O quanta sunt hec opera (O how many are these works!)
The Father sent down his onlie Soune,
Which of a maide was man be cum
Cum pura continentia (with pure countenance).
In Bethlem, Juide, two beast betweene,
This Child was borne, [that] I of meane;
O nova, O nova stella lumina (O light of a new star!)
The hirdemen came with theyr offring,
Ffor to present that pretie thinge
Cum summa reverential (with great reverence).
They offred theyr giftes that Child until;
The were received with full good will;
Quam grata sunt hec munera (How pleasing are these gifts!)
These kynges came from the east cuntrie,
Which knewe then, by Astronomie
Et Balam vaticenia (and the prophecy of Balaam),
That then was born the Kynge of Blisse;
His mother a maid both was and is:
O Dei mirabilia (O wonders of God!)
To seeke that Babe they took the waie;
They had good speede in theyr journey,
Stella micanta per via (the star lighting their way).
When they came where as Herod leay,
The starr was hid that led the way
Ob tetra regis criminal (because of the loathsome crimes of the king).
Hee questioned them of theyr cunninge;
‘What novells,’ he said ‘or what tydinge
Vos fertis [ex Arabia]?’ (do you bring from Arabia?)
They said was borne both God and man:
‘We will him worship as Soveraigne,
Cum Digna Deo latria.’ (with worship worthy of God).
‘Come heare again!’ Herod did saie;
‘Howe that ye speede in youre journey
Mihi fiat notitia: (tell me)
I will him worshipp’- he thought[t] not so;
He ment with fraud them for to sloo: (slay)
O ficta amicitial! (O feigned friendship!)
They past the towne; they saw the starre,
Which led them till they found the barne, (child)
Sugentem matris ubera; (suckling at his mother’s breast)
They offred him gould, mirr, and sence;
He tooke them with great diligence,
Quam digna est infancia (as befits a child).
They tooke theyr leeve of that sweet thinge,
And thought to come by Herod Kynge,
Apparente voce angelica: (the angelic voice appearing)
‘Turne home,’ he saith, ‘leave Herodes will:
He thinks with fraud youe for to kyll,
Per cauta homicidia.’ (by secret murder).
They turnd againe full merilie,
Ich one into his owne cuntrie,
Alacri terra tenera (eager for his dear land)
They had heavens blisse at theyr endinge,
The which God graunt us, ould and younge,
In clara poliregia (in the noble city of the King).
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