Description: Text by the fourteenth century German mystic Heinrich Seuse, 1295-1366. The original text is macaronic, a combination of Latin and German. The tune is probably earlier; therefore, the page "In dulci jubilo (Anonymous)" redirects here, otherwise it would include all of the 30 pages listed below.
1. In dulci jubilo,
Nun singet und seid froh!
Unsers Herzens Wonne liegt in praesepio,
Und leuchtet als die Sonne Matris in gremio, Alpha es et O! 2. O Jesu parvule
Nach dir ist mir so weh!
Tröst' mir mein Gemüte O puer optime
Durch alle deine Güte O princeps gloriae. Trahe me post te! 3. O Patris caritas! O Nati lenitas!
Wir wären all verloren (verdorben) Per nostra crimina
So hat er uns erworben Coelorum gaudia
Eia, wären wir da! 4. Ubi sunt gaudia
Nirgend mehr denn da!
Da die Engel singen Nova cantica,
Und die Schellen klingen In regis curia.
Eia, wären wir da!
English translation
1.
Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say
News! News! Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow;
And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today! 2.
Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss
Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has oped the heavenly door,
And man is blest for evermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this! 3.
Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave
Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all,
To gain His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
1. In dulci jubilo [In quiet joy]
Let us our homage show
Our heart’s joy reclineth In praesepio [in a manger]
And like a bright star shineth Matris in gremio [in the mother's lap] Alpha es et O. [Thou art Alpha & Omega] 2. O Jesu parvule [O tiny Jesus]
I yearn for thee alway
Listen to my ditty O puer optima [O best of boys]
Have pity on me, pity O princeps gloriae, [Prince of glory] Trahe me post te. [draw me unto thee] 3. O patris caritas [O father's caring] O nati lenitas [O newborn's mildness]
Deeply were we stained Per nostra crimina [by our crimes]
But thou hast for us gained Coelorum gaudia [heavenly joy]
O that we were there. 4. Ubi sunt gaudia [where be joys]
If that they be not there
There are angels singing Nova cantina [new songs]
There the bells are ringing In regis curia [at the king's court]
O that we were there.
1. In dulci jubilo [In quiet joy]
Now sing with hearts aglow!
Our delight and pleasure lies in praesepio; [in a manger]
Like sunshine is our treasure matris in gremio. [in the mother's lap] Alpha es et O [Thou art Alpha and Omega] 2. O Jesu parvule [O tiny Jesus]
For thee I long alway;
Comfort my heart's blindness, O puer optima [O best of boys]
With all Thy loving kindness, O princeps gloriae, [O Prince of glory] Trahe me post te. [draw me unto thee] 3. O patris caritas [O love of the Father] O nati lenitas [O gentleness of the Son]
Deeply were we stainèd Per nostra crimina [through our sins]
But Thou for us hast gainèd Coelorum gaudia [the joy of heaven]
O that we were there! 4. Ubi sunt gaudia [where are joys]
In any place but there?
There are angels singing Nova cantina [new songs]
And there the bells are ringing In regis curia [in the king's court]
O that we were there!