Whence, O Shepherd Maiden


Whence, O shepherd maiden, whence came you?
Whence, O shepherd maiden, whence came you?
I come from the manger, walking on my way,
Nothing ever stranger seen within my day.

What saw you there, maiden, what saw you?
What saw you there, maiden, what saw you?
I saw lying cradled there a tiny child,
In the new straw huddled, softly it was piled.

Nothing more then, maiden, nothing more?
Nothing more then, maiden, nothing more?
Mary, holy mother, nursing babe at breast,
Joseph, holy father, with the cold oppressed.