In 1853 the British ambassador to Sweden,
G. J. R. Gordon, returned to Britain with a copy of the 1582 edition, which he presented to
John Mason Neale, well known for his interest in early music. He in turn passed it on to
Thomas Helmore whom he knew to be expert in the interpretation of the
mensural notation in which the tunes were given. On receiving the tunes in modern notation Neale translated the texts into English, or in a few cases wrote completely new texts. Neale and Helmore published 12 of these tunes in that same year with the title
Carols for Christmastide, and the following year 12 more as
Carols for Eastertide. The Christmas set included
Christ was born on Christmas Day from
Resonet in laudibus,
Good Christian men, rejoice from
In dulci jubilo, and
Good King Wenceslas as completely new words for the spring carol
Tempus adest floridum. The Easter set included
Let the song be begun from
Personent hodie. ==See also==