For to Present that Rich King

Out of the Blossom Sprang a Thorn
(15th Century English carol, author unknown)

Out of the blossom sprang a thorn,
When God himself would be born;
He let us never be forlorn,
That born was of Marie.

There sprang a well all at her foot,
That all this world is burned to good,
When Jesu Christ took flesh and blood
That born was of Marie.

Out of the well sprang a stream
From patriarch to Jerusalem,
Till Christ Himself it took again,
That born was of Marie.

In winter when the frost Him froze,
A poor bedding our Lord Him chose;
Between an ox and an ass
God's Son born He was
That born was of Marie.

It was upon the Twelfth Day,
There come three kings in rich array
To seek Christ where He lay
That born was of Marie.

Three kings out of divers lands,
Swithe comen with hearts strong,
The Child to seek underfong,
That born was of Marie.

The star led them a right way
To the Child where He lay;
He helpeth us both night and day,
That born was of Marie.

Balthazar was the first king,
He broughte gold to his offering,
For to present that rich King,
That born was of Marie.

Melchior was the second king,
He brought incense to his offering,
For to present that rich King,
That born was of Marie.

Jasper was the third king,
He brought myrrh to his offering,
For to present that rich King,
That born was of Marie.

There they offered their presents,
With gold and myrrh and frankincense,
As clerks read in their sequence
In Epiphany.

Kneel we down Him beforn,
And pray we to Him that now is born,
He let us never be forlorn,
That born was of Marie.