A spotless rose (Herbert Howells)
Music files
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(Posted 2020-01-23) CPDL #56736:
- Editor: Ross Jallo (submitted 2020-01-23). Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 432 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Piano reduction omitted.
General Information
Title: A Spotless Rose
Composer: Herbert Howells Lyricist: Catherine Winkworthafter Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB with tenor or baritone solo
Genre: Sacred, Anthems
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1919
Description: One of Howells's three Carol Anthems for Christmas. First published in 1919, and therefore public domain in the United States (though not yet elsewhere).
External websites: 1996 performance by The Sixteen (Harry Christophers, director; Simon Birchall, baritone)
Original text and translations
English text
A Spotless Rose is blowing,
Sprung from a tender root,
Of ancient seers' foreshowing,
Of Jesse promised fruit;
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter,
And in the dark midnight.
The Rose which I am singing,
Whereof Isaiah said,
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary, purest Maid;
For through our God's great love and might,
The Blessed Babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winter's night.
A Spotless Rose is blowing,
Sprung from a tender root,
Of ancient seers' foreshowing,
Of Jesse promised fruit;
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter,
And in the dark midnight.
The Rose which I am singing,
Whereof Isaiah said,
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary, purest Maid;
For through our God's great love and might,
The Blessed Babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winter's night.