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Updated 01/24/2020

The Snow Lay on the Ground

“The Snow Lay on the Ground” appears to be a West-of-England traditional carol, and is given as such in R. R. Chope's Carols, 1875, No. 44, where it begins "The snow lay deep upon the ground." In the Crown of Jesus, 1862, No. 146, it begins “The snow lay on the ground" and is marked, with regard to the tune, as "Christmas Carol, sung in Rome by the Pifferari from the Abruzzi Mountains."

Lyrics

The snow lay on the ground,
The stars shone bright,
When Christ our Lord was born
On Christmas night.
Venite adoremus Dominum;
Venite adoremus Dominum.

Refrain:
Venite adoremus Dominum;
Venite adoremus Dominum;
Venite adoremus Dominum;
Venite adoremus Dominum;

'Twas Mary maid, so young and strong,
Who welcomed here the Christchild with a song
She laid Him in a stall
At Bethlehem;
The ass and oxen shared
The roof with them.

Saint Joseph, too, was by
To tend the Child;
To guard him, and protect
His mother mild;
The angels hovered round,
And sung this song,
Venite adoremus Dominum.

And thus that manger poor
Became a throne;
For He Whom Mary bore
Was God the Son.
O come, then, let us join
The heavenly host,
To praise the Father, Son,
And Holy Ghost.