5. O SALICH HEYLICH BETHLEHEM
O salich heylich Bethlehem,
O onder duysent uytvercoren,
Vereert boven Jerusalem,
Want Jesus is in u gheboren.
O Bethlehem, cleyn groote stadt,
Cleyn van begrip, maer groot van waerden,
Ghy sijt dat alder eelste vat,
En d'alderrijckste stadt der aerden.
O Coninck Christe, Prince groot,
Hoe wort ghy hier aldus ghevonden,
In hoy, in stroo, in sulcken noot,
In aerme doecxkens teer ghewonden.
| [5] O BLESSED AND HOLY BETHLEHEM
O blessed and holy Bethlehem,
Chosen from amongst thousands,
Honoured above Jerusalem,
For Jesus was born within thy walls.
O Bethlehem, small but mighty town'
Small of extent, but great in worth,
Thou art the noblest vessel
And the richest town on Earth.
O Christ the King, mighty Prince,
How are Thou so here to be found,
In hay, straw, and in such need,
Tenderly wrapped in poor linens.
Translation © 1997, Peter Lockwood
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