Light and life to man appear: And the Holy Babe is here, By the Virgin Mary. Refrain: For the Word becometh flesh By the Virgin Mary. 2. What in ancient days was slain, This day calls to life again: God is coming, God shall reign By the Virgin Mary. 3. Adam ate the fruit and died, But the curse, that did betide All his sons, is turn'd aside By the Virgin Mary. 4. Noah shut the Ark of old, When the flood came, as is told; Us its doors today enfold By the Virgin Mary. 5. Every creature of the plain Own'd the guileful serpent's reign; He this happy day is slain By the Virgin Mary. 6. 'Twas the Star the Sun that bore, Which salvation should restore; But pollution ne'er the more Touch'd the Virgin Mary. 7. And they circumcise the Lord, And his Blood for us is pour'd; Thus salvation is restored By the Virgin Mary. 8. In a manger he is laid: Ox and ass their worship paid; Over him her veil is spread By the Virgin Mary. 9. And the heav'nly Angels' tongue 'Glory in the highest' sung; And the shepherds o'er him hung, With the Virgin Mary. 10. Joseph watches o'er his rest: Cold and sorrow him infest: He, an hung'red, seeks the breast Of the Virgin Mary. 11. Wherefore let our quire to-day Banish sorrow far away, Singing and exulting aye With the Virgin Mary.