A Virgin Unspotted Explained

"A Virgin Unspotted" is a Christmas carol. It originates from 1661, when the oldest known version was written in "New Carolls for this Merry Time of Christmas". It is said to be based on "A Virgin Most Pure", a similar carol. This carol is in a 3/4 rhythm in the verses, but speeds up to a 6/8 rhythm in the chorus.

The song existed in the English folk tradition, where several versions were documented, including one sung by Emily Bishop of Herefordshire which was recorded by Peter Kennedy in 1952^[1] (with audio available via the British Library Sound Archive)^[2] and another by a Harold Boucher^[3] which can also be heard online.^[4]

See also

• List of Christmas carols

References

• A Virgin Unspotted, words and music
• A Virgin Most Pure (A Virgin Unspotted) by trad. score

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Virgin Unspotted (Roud Folksong Index S417643). 2020-12-24. The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. en-gb.
2. Web site: Emily Bishop, Bromsberrow Heath, Herefordshire 1952 - Peter Kennedy Collection - World and traditional music British Library - Sounds. 2020-12-24. sounds.bl.uk.
3. Web site: A Virgin Unspotted (Roud Folksong Index S254983). 2020-12-24. The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. en-gb.
4. Web site: A Virgin Unspotted. 2020-12-24. Gloucestershire Christmas. en-US.