In dulci jubilo, let us our homage show

Representative Text

1 In dulci jubilo!
Let us our homage show!
Our heart's joy reclineth
In præsepio!
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio!
Alpha es et O!
Alpha es et O!
O patris charitas!
O nati lenitas,
Deeply were we stained
Per nostra crimina,
But thou hast for us gained
Cœlorum gaudia.
O that we were there,
O that we were there!
Ubisunt gaudia, where,
If that they be not there?
There are angels singing
Nova cantica;
There the bells are ringing,
In Regis curia.
O that we were there,
O that we were there!
There are angels singing,
There the bells are ringing,
In Regis curia.
O that we were there,
O that we were there!

2 O Jesu parvule!
My heart is sore for thee!
Hear me, I beseech thee,
O puer optime!
My prayer, let it reach thee,
O princeps gloriæ!
Trahe me post te!
Trahe me post te!
O patris charitas!
O nati lenitas,
Deeply were we stained
Per nostra crimina,
But thou hast for us gained
Cœlorum gaudia.
O that we were there,
O that we were there!
Ubisunt gaudia, where,
If that they be not there?
There are angels singing
Nova cantica;
There the bells are ringing,
In Regis curia.
O that we were there,
O that we were there!
There are angels singing,
There the bells are ringing,
In Regis curia.
O that we were there,
O that we were there!

Source: Christmas Carols and Hymns: for school and choir #34

Translator: Robert L. Pearsall

(no biographical information available about Robert L. Pearsall.) Go to person page >

Notes

The original melody employed, as a Cantus firmus, in the following composition, is to be found in an old German book published in the year 1570,—which, from its title and contents, appears to have contained the ritual of the Protestant Congregations of Zweibrücken and Neuburg. Even there it is called "A very ancient song (uraltes Lied) for Christmas-eve;" so that there can be no doubt that it is one of those old Roman Catholic melodies which Luther, on account of their beauty, retained in the Protestant service. It was formerly sung in the processions which took place on Christmas Eve, and is so still in those remove parts of Germany where people yet retain old customs. The words are written half in Latin and half in upper German dialect. I have translated them to fit the music, and endeavored to preserve, as much as I could, the simplicity of the original. R. L. de Pearsall

Tune

IN DULCI JUBILO

IN DULCI JUBILO was originally a folk dance; it is filled with rhythmic energy. There are many organ and choral arrangements of this tune. Sing this lilting lively carol in unison or in parts with bright flute accompaniment (either real flutes or flute stops on the organ). Observe a ritardando only…

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Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 13 of 13)
Page Scan

A Treasury of Hymns #103

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Carols Old and Carols New #742

Text InfoTune InfoTextPage Scan

Christmas Carols and Hymns #34

Tune InfoTextPage Scan

Christmas Carols and Hymns #34

Page Scan

Hymnal for Colleges and Schools #54

Hymnal for Colleges and Schools. 3rd ed. #d129

Hymnal for Juniors in Worship and Study #d45

The American Hymnal for Chapel Service #d160

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The American Hymnal for Chapel Service #123

The Catholic Hymnal and Service Book. Organ ed. #d65

The Catholic Hymnal and Service Book. Pew ed. #d65

The New Saint Basil Hymnal #d64

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The Oxford Hymn Book #64

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