Richard Smert (c.1400-c.1479), Nowell: Dieus wous garde (Dieu vous garde)
Performed by Flanders Recorder Quartet & Collegium Vocale Gent, conducted by Peter Dijkstra
From the Begijnhofkerk, Sint-Truiden (Flanders, Belgium)
Who ys there that singith so ‘Nowell’?
I am heer, Syr Cristesmass.
Wellcome, my lord, Syr Cristesmass,
wellcome to all, both more and lass;
come neer, nowell.
Dieus vous garde, byews sir; tydings y yow bryng.
Hath a mayd born a chyld full ying,
the weche us causeth for to syng nowell.
Crist is now yborn of a clene mayd;
in an oxstall he ys ylayd;
wherefor syng we, all at a brayd, nowell.
‘Beuvex bien partut’ a la company;
make good cheer and be right mery,
and syng with us now joyfully nowell.