The Snow Lay on the Ground

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, daughter pure
Of holy Anne,
That brought into this world
The God made man.
She laid Him in a stall
At Bethlehem;
The ass and oxen shared
The roof with them.

Refrain

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.

Refrain

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

Refrain

Author: Unknown

Year: 1874

This is a traditional 19th-century English Christmas carol of unknown authorship, sometimes described as an 'old carol.' It first appeared in print in 1874 in 'Crown of Jesus' (London). The Latin refrain is borrowed from the Christmas chant 'Adeste Fideles.' No single lyricist is credited in standard hymnals.