The Snow Lies Thick Lyrics

1. The snow lies thick upon the earth
Tonight, when God is come to birth:
O collaudantes Dominum,
Let's run to give Him greeting.
His lodging but a stable, see!
Where ox and ass His courtiers be,
The Mighty Lord in poverty.
Laid low for our salvation!

2. I hear sweet Mary sing to rest
The little one against her breast:
O collaudantes Dominum,
We'll make soft music round them;
For gentle as a breeze in June
Must be tonight our Carol's tune,
Lest we awake the Babe too soon
That's born for our salvation.

3. Good Joseph, may we enter here
To watch her and her child a-near,
Nos collaudantes Dominum,
And kneel around his cradle;
The humble beasts that homage pay,
And we as humble sure as they,
Would keep still watch to break of day
O'er Him that brings salvation.

4. But see, but see! the Child's awake!
His pretty hands stretch out to take,
O collaudantes Dominum,
The simple gifts we bring Him;
Yea, He forgets for very love
The glory of His home above,
Nor cares but only this to prove,
He's come for our salvation!

5. Then let us great, and let us small,
And young and old, and one and all
Nunc collaudantes Dominum,
With dance and song draw hither!
Bring boughs of holly green and red
To deck about his little bed,
This very God, who lays his head
So low for our salvation.