Spotless Rose

SATB A Cappella
Lyrics: Anon. (transl. Winkworth)
Language: English or Norwegian
Duration: 3:00

Spotless Rose is a joyful, melodic setting of the well-known 16th century text, which can be performed in either English or Norwegian.

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;
Through God’s great love and might
The Blessed Babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winter’s night.