Fantasia on [obscure] Christmas Carols

This is the truth sent from above

The truth of God, the god of love

Therefore don't turn me from your door

But hearken all both rich and poor

The first thing which I will relate

Is that God did man create

The next thing which to you I'll tell

Woman was made with man to dwell

Then after this was God's own choice

To place them both in paradise

There to remain from evil free

Except they ate of such a tree

And they did eat which was a sin

And thus their ruin did begin

Ruined themselves, both you and me

And all of their posterity

Thus we were heirs to endless woes

Till God the Lord did interpose

And so a promise soon did run

That he would redeem us by His Son

That he would redeem us by His Son

By His Son

Come all you worthy gentlemen that may be standing by

Christ our blessed Saviour was born on Christmas day.

The blessed Virgin Mary unto the Lord did pray

Oh we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy

The blessed Virgin Mary unto the Lord did pray

Oh we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy

Christ our Blessed Saviour now in the manger lay

He's lying in the manger while oxen feed on hay

The blessed Virgin Mary unto the Lord did pray

Oh we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy

The blessed Virgin Mary unto the Lord did pray

Oh we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy

The blessed Virgin Mary unto the Lord did pray

Oh we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy

On Christmas night all Christians sing

to hear the news the angels bring 

 On Christmas night all Christians sing

to hear the news the angels bring 

News of great joy, news of great mirth.

News of our merciful King's birth

News of great joy, news of great mirth.

News of our merciful King's birth

When Sin departs before thy grace

then life and health come in it's place. 

When Sin departs before thy grace

then life and health come in it's place.

Angels and men with joy may sing

All for to see the newborn King

All for to see the newborn King

All for to see the newborn King

Angels and men with joy may sing

All for to see the newborn King

God bless the ruler of this house and long on may he reign

From out of darkness we have light

which makes the angels sing this night

Many happy Christmases he live to see again

From out of darkness we have light

which makes the angels sing this night

God bless our generation who live both far and near

Glory to God and peace to men

And we wish them a happy, a happy New Year

Both now and evermore Amen

God bless the ruler of this house and long on may he reign

Many happy Christmases he live to see again

God bless our generation who live both farand near

And we wish them a happy, a happy New Year

Oh we wish you a happy, a happy New Year.

Both now and evermore. Amen

~~~~~

Ralph Vaughan William's Fantasia on Christmas Carols is featured in two parts in this video series.

Obscure Carols Macaronic: In Dulci Jubilo

Macaronic hymns are hymns that use a foreign or classic language and the vernacular of the people.  A hymn may come along nicely in English and then end in the Greek phrase, "Kyrie eleison," meaning, "Lord, have mercy."

Sometimes this is a practical choice.  The Hebrew word, "hallelujah" (or "alleluia") carries a different tone than it's translation, "Praise the Lord." I mean, Handel's chorus, "Hallelujah" just wouldn't sound the same as, "PRAISE ... THE LO - RD!  PRAISE ... THE LO - RD!"

Other times it is left in tact for the beauty of the text. The carol, "In Dulci Jubilo" was originally in German and Latin.  For English-speaking folk, most hymnals will translate the entire work into English, but in choral works, the Latin is often left alone.

~~~~~

Setting by Robert Lucas Pearsall (1795-1856)

~

German with Latin:

In dulci jubilo,

Nun singet und seid froh!

Unsers Herzens Wonne

Leit in praesepio;

Und leuchtet wie die Sonne

Matris in gremio.
Alpha es et O!

Alpha es et O!

~

English with Latin:

In dulci jubilo,

Let us our homage show!

Our heart's joy reclineth

In praesepio;

And like a bright star shineth

Matris in gremio.
Alpha es et O!

Alpha es et O!

~

Full German translation:

Nun singet und seid froh,
Jauchzt all' und saget so:
Unsers Herzens Wonne
Liegt in der Krippe bloß
Leuchtet als die Sonne
In seiner Mutter Schoß.
Du bist A und O.
Du bist A und O.

The embed was disabled for this video, so please click here to view it.

~

Full English translation:

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart, and soul, and voice;
 Give ye heed to what we say:

[News! News!]
Jesus Christ was born to-day:
Ox and ass before Him bow,
And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!

Christ is born today!

This English translation is used as the base for Gustav Holst's Christmas Day

which incorporates a number of other obscure carols.

In this translation, the phrase, "News! News!" is added.

~

Full English translation in Lutheran hymnals (TLH 92).  It is based on the full German translation:

Now sing we, now rejoice

With heart and sol and voice!

He from whom joy streameth

Poor in a manger lies;

Not so brightly beameth

The sun in yonder skies.

Thou my Savior art!

Thou my Savior art!

~

Literal translation from Wiki:

In sweet rejoicing,
now sing and be glad!
Our hearts' joy
lies in the manger;
And it shines like the sun
in the mother's lap.
You are the alpha and omega!

~~~~~

From the album, Mass for Christmas Morning.

Obscure Carols: I Wonder as I Wander

"I Wonder as I Wander" has it's roots in the Appalachian tradition of North Carolina, but was fully composed in the last century.  You can read about it here.

~~~~~

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on'ry people like you and like I...
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall,
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing,
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King. 

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on'ry people like you and like I...
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

This video features photos taken on Christmas Eve in Appalachia.

Obscure Carols: Truth from Above

Rather than focus on the Christmas account in Luke 2, this carol starts with creation and lays the foundation for the coming Messiah.  There is no mention in this carol of shepherds, wise men, angels, mangers, stables, inns, etc.  Rather, the focus is on why we need a Savior.

I was able to locate nine verses of this carol.  Most settings do not use all of them.

~~~~~

This is the truth sent from above
The truth of God, the God of love
Therefore don't turn me from your door
But hearken will both rich and poor

The first thing that I do relate
Is that God did man create
The next thing which to you I'll tell
Woman was made with man to dwell

And after that, 'twas God's own choice
To place them both in Paradise,
There to remain of evil free
Except they ate of such a tree.

But they did eat, which was a sin,
And so their ruin did begin,
Ruined themselves, both you and me,
And all of their posterity.

Thus we were heirs to endless woes
Till God and Lord did interpose
And so a promise soon did run
That He would redeem us by His Son

And at that season of the year
Our blessed Redeemer did appear
He here did live and here did preach
And many thousands he did teach

Thus He in love to us behaved
To show us how we must be saved
And if you want to know the way
Be pleased to hear what He did say

Go preach the Gospel new, He said,
To all the nations that are made
And he that does believe in me,
From all his sins I’ll set him free.

God grant to all within this place
True saving faith—that special grace,
Which to His people doth belong—
And thus I close my Christmas song.

0:00 Creator Alme Siderum (Plainsong Chant)

1:28 Truth From Above (Setting by Ralph Vaughan Williams)

3:49 An Early Tree (Setting by William Byrd)

Obscure Carols: The Old Year Now Hath Passed Away

The old year now hath passed away;

We thank Thee, 0 our God, today

That Thou hast kept us through the year

When danger and distress were near.

We pray Thee, 0 eternal Son,

Who with the Father reign'st as One,

To guard and rule Thy Christendom

Through all the ages yet to come.

Take not Thy saving Word away,

Our souls' true comfort, staff, and stay.

Abide with us and keep us free

From errors, following only Thee.

Oh, help us to forsake all sin,

A new and holier course begin!

Mark not what once was done amiss;

A happier, better year be this,

Wherein as Christians we may live

Or die in peace that Thou canst give,

To rise again when Thou shalt come

And enter Thine eternal home.

There shall we thank Thee and adore

With all the angels evermore.

Lord Jesus Christ, increase our faith

To praise Thy name through life and death.

~~~~~

One tune associated with this text is "Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns bend."

~~~~~

Das alte Jahr vergangen ist,

wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ,

dass du uns hast in großer G'fahr

so gnädiglich behüt' dies Jahr.

Wir bitten dich, ewigen Sohn

des Vaters in dem höchsten Thron,

du wollst dein arme Christenheit

ferner bewahren allezeit.

Entzieh uns nicht dein heilsamWort,

das ist der Seelen Trost und Hort,

vor falscher Lehr, Abgötterei

bewahr uns, Herr, und steh uns bei.

Hilf, dass wir von der Sünde Bahn

und fromm zu werden fangen an.

der Sünd im alten Jahr nicht denk,

ein gnadenreiches Jahr uns schenk,

Christlich zu leben, seliglich

zu sterben und hernach fröhlich

Am Jüngsten Tage aufzustehn,

mit dir im` Himmel einzugehn,

Zu danken und zu loben dich

mit allen Engeln ewiglich.

O Jesu, unsern Glauben mehr

zu deines Namens Lob und Ehr.

~~~~~

The tune used in Bach's Orgelbuchlein is "Das alte Jahr vergangen ist."

Obscure Carols: Gabriel's Message

Among liturgical traditions Gabriel's Message (also known as The Basque Carol) has had somewhat of a resurgence and found its way into hymnals and hymnal supplements of the last 10 or 15 years.  In the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod the carol appeared in Hymnal Supplement '98 and Lutheran Service Book (2006).

The carol is most appropriate for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, as the Gospel reading for that day is Gabriel's appearance to Mary.

~~~~~

The angel Gabriel from Heaven came, 

His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; 

All hail,said he,thou lowly maiden Mary, 

Most highly favored lady, Gloria! 

For know a blessèd mother thou shalt be, 

All generations laud and honor thee, 

Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, 

Most highly favored lady, Gloria! 

 Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, 

To me be as it pleaseth God, she said, 

My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name. 

Most highly favored lady, Gloria! 

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born 

In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, 

And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say— 

Most highly favored lady,Gloria!

Obscure Carols: The Huron Carol

"The Huron Carol" is a new carol to me, courtesy of Facebook friend Jeffrey "The Aslan."

Here's some bullet points from the Wiki article:

• Canada's oldest Christmas song
• Written in 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf
• Brébeuf was a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Canada
• Lyrics were in the native language of the Huron/Wendat people
• Original Huron title is "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, he is born")
• Melody based on a traditional French folk song, "Une Jeune Pucelle" ("A Young Maid")
• English lyrics were written in 1926 by Jesse Edgar Middleton
• English lyrics derived from Brebeuf's original song and Huron religious concepts
• The hymn also uses a traditional Algonquian name, Gitchi Manitou, for God. 
• The song remains a common Christmas hymn in Canadian churches of many Christian denomination

So there's the interesting one to me. My parents live in Michigan just south of the Huron National Forest. I had never heard of it before this year.  I guess I thought this one would have drifted into Michigan along with Canadian coins.

So here's a video followed by the English lyrics. As I was writing this morning, I couldn't find the original tongue. If you know them, feel free to drop them in the comments.  Finally, look for concepts that may be from the Huron tribe instead in lieu of the biblical account.

~~~~~ 

~~~~~

’Twas in the moon of wintertime,

When all the birds had fled,

That mighty Gitchi Manitou

Sent angel choirs instead;

Before their light the stars grew dim,

And wondering hunters heard the hymn:

 Jesus your King is born,

Jesus is born,

In excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark

The tender babe was found,

A ragged robe of rabbit skin

Enwrapped His beauty round;

But as the hunter braves drew nigh,

The angel song rang loud and high:

 Jesus your King is born,

Jesus is born,

In excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime

Is not so round and fair

As was the ring of glory on

The helpless Infant there.

The chiefs from far before Him knelt

With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.  

Jesus your King is born,

Jesus is born,

In excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free,

O seed of Manitou,

The holy Child of earth and Heav’n

Is born today for you.

Come kneel before the radiant Boy,

Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.

 Jesus your King is born,

Jesus is born,

In excelsis gloria.

Obscure Carols: Noel by Brad Holmes

This carol comes from the Congo region and can be heard on the 2011 Christmas broadcast from St. Olaf College. Special thanks to Jonathan Tan at Cantus Mundi for posting this video and the translation. Below is the honors choir from the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. You can check out 2 other groups over on Jonathan's post.

~~~~~

~

Noel! Noel!

Yesu me kwisa ku zinga ti beto.

Noel! Noel!

Yesu me kwisa ku zinga ti beto

Kana nge zola ku zaba mwana,

Nge fwiti kwisa ku fukama.

Kana nge zola ku zaba mwana,

Nge fwiti kwisa ku fukama.

~

Noel! Noel!

Jesus has come to live with us.

Noel! Noel!

Jesus has come to live with us.

If you want to know the Child,

You have to come kneel.

If you want to know the Child,

You have to come kneel.

Commemoration of the Holy Innocents

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,

By, by, lully, lullay.

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,

By, by, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do,

For to preserve this day

This poor Youngling for Whom we sing

By, by, lully, lullay?

Herod the king, in his raging,

Charged he hath this day

His men of might, in his own sight,

All young children to slay.

That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!

And ever morn and day

For Thy parting neither say nor sing,

By, by, lully, lullay.

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,

By, by, lully, lullay

Today marks the Commemoration of the Holy Innocents

~~~

Then Herod,
when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men,
became furious,
and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem
and in all that region who were two years old or under,
according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

(Matthew 2:16-18 ESV)

500th Post: St. John the Evangelist

Well, I've reached the 500th post here on All for Hymn on the Commemoration of St. John the Evangelist.

Around this site you will find a few things of interest for today's commemoration.

First, the complete Passion according to St. John begins here and you can hit "Newer Post" to take you to the next section.

Second, two posts on John 3:16 can be found here and here.

~~~~~

God so loved the world

that He gave His only-begotten Son

that whoso believeth in Him

should not parish

but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son 

into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world through Him

might be saved.

God so loved the world

that He gave His only-begotten Son

that whoso believeth in Him

should not parish

but have everlasting life.

~~~~~

~~~~~

Thanks to everyone who has been following the blog.  Have a blessed Christmas Season and New Year.  Daily posts can be found on my personal facebook page. If you "friend" me on facebook, please send a PM along with the request noting that you read the blog.

The Complete Weihnachts-oratorium of JS Bach, Part VI:VII-XI

7. Recitativo (T)

 [Evangelist]
Und Gott befahl ihnen im Traum,

dass sie sich nicht sollten wieder zu Herodes lenken,

und zogen durch einen andern Weg wieder in ihr Land.

~

And God then warned them in a dream

that they should not go again unto Herod,

and they went by another way back to their country.

~~~~~

8. Recitativo (T)

So geht! Genug, mein Schatz geht nicht von hier,
Er bleibet da bei mir,
Ich will ihn auch nicht von mir lassen.
Sein Arm wird mich aus Lieb
Mit sanftmutsvollem Trieb
Und größter Zärtlichkeit umfassen;
Er soll mein Bräutigam verbleiben,
Ich will ihm Brust und Herz verschreiben.
Ich weiß gewiss, er liebet mich,
Mein Herz liebt ihn auch inniglich
Und wird ihn ewig ehren.
Was könnte mich nun für ein Feind
Bei solchem Glück versehren!
Du, Jesu, bist und bleibst mein Freund;
Und werd ich ängstlich zu dir flehn:
Herr, hilf!, so lass mich Hülfe sehn!

~

Then go! 'Tis well, my treasure leaveth not,
He bideth here with me,
I will not ever let him leave me.
His arm will in his love
With soft affection's warmth
And deepest tenderness embrace me;
He shall remain my faithful bridegroom,
I will my breast and heart assign him.
I know full well he loveth me,
My heart, too, loves him fervently
And shall alway adore him.
What harm to me could any foe
Amidst such fortune do now?
Thou, Jesus, art fore'er my friend;
And when in fear I cry to thee:
"Lord, help!," let me thy help behold!

~~~~~

9. Aria (T)

Nun mögt ihr stolzen Feinde schrecken;
Was könnt ihr mir für Furcht erwecken?
Mein Schatz, mein Hort ist hier bei mir.
Ihr mögt euch noch so grimmig stellen,
Droht nur, mich ganz und gar zu fällen,
Doch seht! mein Heiland wohnet hier.

~

Now may ye boastful foes be frightened;
Ye can in me what fear awaken?
My store, my hoard is here by me.
Be ye unbounded in your fury
And threaten me with utter ruin,
Beware, my Savior dwelleth here!

~~~~~

10. Recitativo (S, A, T, B)

Was will der Höllen Schrecken nun,
Was will uns Welt und Sünde tun,
Da wir in Jesu Händen ruhn?

~

What hope hath hell's own terrors now,
What harm will world and sin us do,
While we in Jesus' hands rest sure?

~~~~~

11. Choral (S, A, T, B)

Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen
An eurer Feinde Schar,
Denn Christus hat zerbrochen,
Was euch zuwider war.
Tod, Teufel, Sünd und Hölle
Sind ganz und gar geschwächt;
Bei Gott hat seine Stelle
Das menschliche Geschlecht.

~

Now are ye well avengéd
Upon your hostile host,
For Christ hath fully broken
All that which you opposed.
Death, devil, hell and error
To nothing are reduced;
With God hath now its shelter
The mortal race of man.

~~~~~

~~~~~

Thank you for listening.

The complete Christmas Oratorio is featured on All for Hymn
beginning at 6:00 PM ET on December 24, 2011
and running every 3 hours.

English Translation © Z. Philip Ambrose, translator, 

Web publication: http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach.

Used by permission.


Special thanks to counterpoint85 over on youtube
for posting the complete work.

The Complete Weihnachts-oratorium of JS Bach, Part VI:II-VI

2. Recitativo (T, B)

[Evangelist]

Da berief Herodes die Weisen heimlich
und erlernet mit Fleiß von ihnen,
wenn der Stern erschienen wäre?
und weiset sie gen Bethlehem und sprach: 

[Herodes]
Ziehet hin und forschet fleißig nach dem Kindlein,
und wenn ihr's findet,
sagt mir's wieder, 
dass ich auch komme und es anbete.

~

[Evangelist]
Then did Herod summon the wise men in secret,
and with diligence he learned from them
when the star was to appear.
And he sent them forth to Bethlehem and said:

[Herod]
Go ye forth and search with diligence for the baby,
and when ye find him,
bring me word,
that I as well may come and worship him.

~~~~~

3. Recitativo (S)

Du Falscher, suche nur den Herrn zu fällen,
Nimm alle falsche List,
Dem Heiland nachzustellen;
Der, dessen Kraft kein Mensch ermißt,
Bleibt doch in sichrer Hand.
Dein Herz, dein falsches Herz ist schon,
Nebst aller seiner List, des Höchsten Sohn,
Den du zu stürzen suchst, sehr wohl bekannt.

~

Thou liar, seek nought but the Lord's destruction,
Lay ev'ry cunning snare
And pitfall for our Savior;
He, whose great pow'r no man can gauge,
Abides in hands secure.
Thy heart, thy lying heart e'en now,
Along with all its guile, to God's own Son
Whom thou dost strive to fell is fully known.

~~~~~

4. Aria (S)

Nur ein Wink von seinen Händen
Stürzt ohnmächtger Menschen Macht.
Hier wird alle Kraft verlacht!
Spricht der Höchste nur ein Wort,
Seiner Feinde Stolz zu enden,
O, so müssen sich sofort
Sterblicher Gedanken wenden.

~

But a wave of his own hand will
Bring down feeble human might.
Here is all dominion mocked!
Speak the Highest but one word,
His opponents' pride to finish,
Oh, then surely must at once
Change its course all mortal purpose.

~~~~~

5. Recitativo (T)

 [Evangelist]
Als sie nun den König gehöret hatten,

zogen sie hin.

Und siehe, der Stern,

den sie im Morgenlande gesehen hatten,

ging für ihnen hin,

bis dass er kam und stund oben über,

da das Kindlein war.

Da sie den Stern sahen,

wurden sie hoch erfreuet

und gingen in das Haus

und funden das Kindlein mit Maria, seiner Mutter,

und fielen nieder

und beteten es an

und täten ihre Schätze auf

und schenkten ihm Gold, Weihrauch und Myrrhen.

~

And as soon as they had heard the king,

they went their way.

And lo, the star,

which in the East they had seen already,

went before their way,

until it came and stood above that place where the baby was.

And when they saw the star,

they rejoiced with great gladness

and went into the house

and found there the baby with Mary, his mother,

and fell before him

and worshipped him

and opened up their treasures then

and gave to him gold, incense, and myrrh.

~~~~~

6. Choral (S, A, T, B)

Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier,
O Jesulein, mein Leben;
Ich komme, bring und schenke dir,
Was du mir hast gegeben.
Nimm hin! es ist mein Geist und Sinn,
Herz, Seel und Mut, nimm alles hin,
Und lass dirs wohlgefallen!

~

I stand before thy cradle here,
O Jesus-child, my being,
I come now, bring and offer thee
What thou to me hast given.
Take all! It is my spirit, will,
Heart, soul and mind, take all to thee,
And let it serve thy pleasure!

~~~~~

~~~~~

The complete Christmas Oratorio is featured on All for Hymn
beginning at 6:00 PM ET on December 24, 2011
and running every 3 hours.

English Translation © Z. Philip Ambrose, translator, 

Web publication: http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach.

Used by permission.

Special thanks to counterpoint85 over on youtube
for posting the complete work.

The Complete Weihnachts-oratorium of JS Bach, Part VI:I

1. Coro (S, A, T, B)

Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben,
So gib, dass wir im festen Glauben
Nach deiner Macht und Hülfe sehn!

Wir wollen dir allein vertrauen,
So können wir den scharfen Klauen
Des Feindes unversehrt entgehn.

~

Lord, when our boastful foes blow fury,
Help us to keep our faith unshaken
And to thy might and help to look!

We would make thee our sole reliance
And thus unharmed the cutting talons
And clutches of the foe escape.

~~~~~

~~~~~

The complete Christmas Oratorio is featured on All for Hymn
beginning at 6:00 PM ET on December 24, 2011
and running every 3 hours.

English Translation © Z. Philip Ambrose, translator, 

Web publication: http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach.

Used by permission.

Special thanks to counterpoint85 over on youtube
for posting the complete work.

The Complete Weihnachts-oratorium of JS Bach, Part V:VI-XI

6. Recitativo (T)

 [Evangelist]
Da das der König Herodes hörte,

erschrak er und mit ihm das ganze Jerusalem.

~

And thus when Herod the king had heard this,

he trembled, and with him the whole of Jerusalem.

~~~~~

7. Recitativo (A)

Warum wollt ihr erschrecken?
Kann meines Jesu Gegenwart euch solche Furcht erwecken?
O! solltet ihr euch nicht
Vielmehr darüber freuen,
Weil er dadurch verspricht,
Der Menschen Wohlfahrt zu verneuen.

~

Wherefore would ye be frightened?
Can my dear Jesus' presence then in you such fear awaken?
Oh! Should ye not by this
Instead be moved with gladness,
That he thereby hath pledged
To make anew mankind's well-being!

~~~~~

8. Recitativo (T)

[Evangelist]
Und ließ versammlen alle Hohepriester und Schriftgelehrten

unter dem Volk

und erforschete von ihnen, 

wo Christus sollte geboren werden.

Und sie sagten ihm:

Zu Bethlehem im jüdischen Lande;

denn also stehet geschrieben durch den Propheten:

Und du Bethlehem

im jüdischen Lande

bist mitnichten die kleinest 

unter den Fürsten Juda;

denn aus dir soll mir kommen der Herzog,

der über mein Volk Israel ein Herr sei.

~

And assembling all the high priests and scribes

from amongst the people,

did he then inquire of them,

where the birth of Christ was supposed to happen.

And they said to him:

"In Bethlehem in the land of Judea;

for even thus is it written by the prophet:

'And thou, Bethlehem,

in the land of Judea

art by no means the least 

among the princes of Judah;

for from thee shall to me come the ruler,

who shall over my people Israel be master.'"

~~~~~

9. Aria (S, A, T)

Ach, wenn wird die Zeit erscheinen?
Ach, wenn kömmt der Trost der Seinen?
Schweigt, er ist schon würklich hier!

Jesu, ach so komm zu mir!

~

Ah, when will that time appear then?
Ah, when will his people's hope come?
Hush, he is already here!

Jesus, ah, then come to me!

~~~~~

10. Recitativo (A)

Mein Liebster herrschet schon.
Ein Herz, das seine Herrschaft liebet
Und sich ihm ganz zu eigen gibet,
Ist meines Jesu Thron.

~

My dearest ruleth now.
The heart which his dominion loveth
And gives itself to him entirely
Shall be my Jesus' throne.

~~~~~

11. Choral (S, A, T, B)

Zwar ist solche Herzensstube
Wohl kein schöner Fürstensaal,
Sondern eine finstre Grube;
Doch, sobald dein Gnadenstrahl
In denselben nur wird blinken,
Wird es voller Sonnen dünken.

~

Though in truth my heart's poor lodging
Is no lovely royal hall,
Rather but a dreary chamber,
Yet, when once thy mercy's beams
Bring to it the merest glimmer,
It seems as though with sun to shimmer.

~~~~~

~~~~~

The complete Christmas Oratorio is featured on All for Hymn
beginning at 6:00 PM ET on December 24, 2011
and running every 3 hours.

English Translation © Z. Philip Ambrose, translator, 

Web publication: http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach.

Used by permission.

Special thanks to counterpoint85 over on youtube
for posting the complete work.

The Complete Weihnachts-oratorium of JS Bach, Part V:II-V

2. Recitativo (T)

[Evangelist]
 Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlehem

im jüdischen Lande

zur Zeit des Königes Herodis, 

siehe, da kamen die Weisen vom Morgenlande

gen Jerusalem und sprachen.

~

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem

in the land of Judea

in the days when Herod was the king, 

behold, there came the wise from the East

to Jerusalem, who said:

~~~~~

3. Coro (S, A, T, B) e Recitativo (A)

[Die Weisen]

Wo ist der neugeborne König der Jüden?

[Alto]

Sucht ihn in meiner Brust,
Hier wohnt er, mir und ihm zur Lust!

[Die Weisen]
Wir haben seinen Stern gesehen im Morgenlande und sind kommen, ihn anzubeten.

[Alto]
Wohl euch, die ihr dies Licht gesehen,
Es ist zu eurem Heil geschehen!
Mein Heiland, du, du bist das Licht,
Das auch den Heiden scheinen sollen,
Und sie, sie kennen dich noch nicht,
Als sie dich schon verehren wollen.
Wie hell, wie klar muss nicht dein Schein,
Geliebter Jesu, sein!

~

[The Wise Men]

Where doth the newborn babe, the king of the Jews, lie?

[Alto]
Seek him within my breast,
He dwells here, mine and his the joy!

[The Wise Men]
We have indeed his star now witnessed where morning riseth [1] 

and are come now to give him worship.

[Alto]

Blest ye, who have this light now witnessed,
It is for your salvation risen!
My Savior, thou, thou art that light,
Which to the nations shall shine also,
And they, they do not know thee yet,
As they e'en now would pay thee honor.
How bright, how clear must then thy rays,
Belove'd Jesus, be!

~~~~~

4. Choral  (S, A, T, B)

Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt,
Die trübe Nacht in Licht verkehrt.
Leit uns auf deinen Wegen,
Dass dein Gesicht
Und herrlichs Licht
Wir ewig schauen mögen!

~

Thy light all darkness doth consume,
The gloomy night to day transform.
Lead us upon thy pathways,
That we thy face
And glorious light
For evermore may witness!

~~~~~

5. Aria (B)

Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen,
Erleuchte mein Herze
Durch der Strahlen klaren Schein!

Dein Wort soll mir die hellste Kerze
In allen meinen Werken sein;
Dies lässet die Seele nichts Böses beginnen.

~

Illumine, too, my gloomy spirit,
Illumine my bosom
With the beams of thy clear light!

Thy word shall be my brightest candle
In all the works which I shall do;
My soul shall this keep from all wicked endeavor.

~~~~~

~~~~~

[1] i.e., "in the East."

The complete Christmas Oratorio is featured on All for Hymn
beginning at 6:00 PM ET on December 24, 2011
and running every 3 hours.

English Translation and Footnote © Z. Philip Ambrose, translator, 

Web publication: http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach.

Used by permission.

Special thanks to counterpoint85 over on youtube
for posting the complete work.

The Complete Weihnachts-oratorium of JS Bach, Part V:I

1. Coro  (S, A, T, B)

Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen,
Dir sei Lob und Dank bereit.

Dich erhebet alle Welt,
Weil dir unser Wohl gefällt,
Weil anheut
Unser aller Wunsch gelungen,
Weil uns dein Segen so herrlich erfreut.

~

Glory to thee, God, be sung now,
Thee be praise and thanks prepared,

Thee exalteth all the world,
For our good is thy desire,
For today
Is our ev'ry wish accomplished,
For us thy favor brings such splendid joy.

~~~~~

~~~~~

The complete Christmas Oratorio is featured on All for Hymn
beginning at 6:00 PM ET on December 24, 2011
and running every 3 hours.

English Translation © Z. Philip Ambrose, translator, 

Web publication: http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach.

Used by permission.

Special thanks to counterpoint85 over on youtube
for posting the complete work.

The Complete Weihnachts-oratorium of JS Bach, Part IV:V-VII

5. Recitativo B e Choral S

Wohlan, dein Name soll allein

Jesu, meine Freud und Wonne,

In meinem Herzen sein!

Meine Hoffnung, Schatz und Teil,

So will ich dich entzücket nennen,

Mein Erlösung, Schmuck und Heil,

Wenn Brust und Herz zu dir vor Liebe brennen.
Doch, Liebster, sage mir:

Wie rühm ich dich, wie dank ich dir?

Hirt und König, Licht und Sonne,
Ach! wie soll ich würdiglich,
Mein Herr Jesu, preisen dich?

~

O joy, thy name shall now alone

Jesus, my true joy and pleasure,

Within my bosom dwell!

My true treasure, share and hope, 

Thus will I call thy name with rapture

My salvation, crown and health,

When breast and heart for thee with love are burning.
But, dearest, tell me now:
How thee to praise, how thee to thank.

King and shepherd, sun and radiance,
Ah, how shall I worthily,
My Lord Jesus, give thee praise?

~~~~~

6. Aria (T)

Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben,
Mein Heiland, gib mir Kraft und Mut,
Dass es mein Herz recht eifrig tut!

Stärke mich,
Deine Gnade würdiglich
Und mit Danken zu erheben!

~

I would but for thine honor live now;
My Savior, give me strength of will,
That this my heart with zeal may do.

Strengthen me
Thy mercy worthily
And with gratitude to honor!

~~~~~

7. Choral (S, A, T, B)

Jesus richte mein Beginnen,
Jesus bleibe stets bei mir,
Jesus zäume mir die Sinnen,
Jesus sei nur mein Begier,
Jesus sei mir in Gedanken,
Jesu, lasse mich nicht wanken!

~

Jesus order my beginning,
Jesus bide alway with me,
Jesus bridle my intention,
Jesus be my sole desire,
Jesus be in all my thinking,
Jesus, let me never waver.

~~~~~

~~~~~

The complete Christmas Oratorio is featured on All for Hymn
beginning at 6:00 PM ET on December 24, 2011
and running every 3 hours.

English Translation © Z. Philip Ambrose, translator, 

Web publication: http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach.

Used by permission.

Special thanks to counterpoint85 over on youtube
for posting the complete work.

The Complete Weihnachts-oratorium of JS Bach, Part IV:II-IV

2. Recitativo (T)

[Evangelist]
Und da acht Tage um waren,

dass das Kind beschnitten würde,

da ward sein Name genennet Jesus,

welcher genennet war von dem Engel,

ehe denn er im Mutterleibe empfangen ward.

~

And when eight days were accomplished

that the child be circumcised,

was his name then called Jesus,

which was so named by the angel,

before he was conceived within his mother's womb.

~~~~~

3. Recitativo (B) e Choral (S)

Immanuel, o süßes Wort!
Mein Jesus heißt mein Hort,
Mein Jesus heißt mein Leben.
Mein Jesus hat sich mir ergeben,
Mein Jesus soll mir immerfort
Vor meinen Augen schweben.
Mein Jesus heißet meine Lust,
Mein Jesus labet Herz und Brust.

Jesu, du mein liebstes Leben,

Komm! Ich will dich mit Lust umfassen,

Meiner Seelen Bräutigam,

Mein Herze soll dich nimmer lassen,

Der du dich vor mich gegeben

Ach! So nimm mich zu dir!

An des bittern Kreuzes Stamm!

Auch in dem Sterben sollst du mir

Das Allerliebste sein;
In Not, Gefahr und Ungemach
Seh ich dir sehnlichst nach.
Was jagte mir zuletzt der Tod für Grauen ein?
Mein Jesus! Wenn ich sterbe,
So weiß ich, dass ich nicht verderbe.
Dein Name steht in mir geschrieben,
Der hat des Todes Furcht vertrieben.

~

Immanuel, O sweetest word!
My Jesus is my shield,
My Jesus is my being.
My Jesus is to me devoted,
My Jesus shall I ever hold
Before my eyes suspended.
My Jesus is my joyful rest,
My Jesus soothes my heart and breast.

Jesus, thou, my life belove'd, 

Come! I would now with joy embrace thee,  

Of my soul the bridegroom true,

My heart shall nevermore release thee, 

Thou who didst for me surrender

Ah! Take me to thyself! 

To the bitter cross's tree!

E'en in my dying shalt thou my 

Most cherished treasure be;
In need, in dread and sore distress
I'll look and yearn for thee.
What cruelty at last can death then hound me with?
My Jesus! When I die here,
I know that I shall never perish.
Thy name is written deep within me,
It hath the fear of death now banished.

~~~~~

4. Aria (S)

Flößt, mein Heiland, flößt dein Namen
Auch den allerkleinsten Samen
Jenes strengen Schreckens ein?
Nein, du sagst ja selber nein. (Nein!)
Sollt ich nun das Sterben scheuen?
Nein, dein süßes Wort ist da!
Oder sollt ich mich erfreuen?
Ja, du Heiland sprichst selbst ja. (Ja!)

~

Doth, my Savior, doth thy name have
E'en the very smallest kernel
Of that awful terror now?
No, thyself thou sayest "No." (No!)
Ought I now of death be wary?
No, the gentle word is here!
Rather, ought I greet it gladly?
Yes, O Savior, thou say'st "Yes." (Yes!)

~~~~~

~~~~~

The complete Christmas Oratorio is featured on All for Hymn
beginning at 6:00 PM ET on December 24, 2011
and running every 3 hours.

English Translation © Z. Philip Ambrose, translator, 

Web publication: http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach.

Used by permission.

Special thanks to counterpoint85 over on youtube
for posting the complete work.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas: GO, TELL IT!

Yesterday's post ended with the ancient hymn "Of the Father's Love Begotten" combined with the South African Freedom Song Thula sizwe. You can hear the full work at the end of yesterday's post, but here is an excerpt of the work.

Sean Ivory and Paul Caldwell: Hope for Resolution
[Of the Father's Love Begotten
with Thula sizwe,
a South African Freedom Song]
Georgetown University Concert Choir

~~~~~

If you've followed this blog for awhile you probably know that I serve an urban congregation in Chicago. One carol that is an absolute must this time of year is "Go, Tell It on the Mountain."

The tune plus text of the refrain comes from the African-American tradition, while the text of the stanzas comes from an African-American educator named John Wesley Work, Jr. Work taught Latin and Greek at Fisk University and eventually chaired the department. He is possibly the first African-American to gather spirituals and publish them.

There is a variation going on with the refrain. Most editions end the refrain with "...that Jesus Christ is born." Some editions end the refrain with, "...that Jesus Christ was born." The latter usage kind of leaves Jesus back in the manger. The former usage brings Jesus to the present, and opens the door to a discussion of how Jesus comes to us today. All that said, my favorite arrangement is the final video below, and they are using the latter with an alternate text and counter-melody for the stanzas. The video appears to be at the close of a Christmas Vespers service.

~~~~~


The Blind Boys of Alabama

~~~

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.


Kurt Franklin: Go Tell It on the Mountain
The Second Bethlehem B.C. Mass Choir
Krystal Johnson, Lead Vocalist

~~~

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.


This a wonderful arrangement
Both the composer and the group are unknown

~~~


Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.

~~~


The Ambassadors of Harmony Double Quartet
First Baptist Church, St. Charles, Missouri

~~~

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.


"Go Tell it on the Mountain" with "Mary Had a Little Baby"
Arrangement by Bruce Thompson
The Choir of Jane M. Smith Memorial Church

~~~~~

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas: This is He whom Seers in Old Time

A few years back I attended Music of the Baroque's "Holiday" concert. It featured music from the Renaissance and earlier. These early Christian texts were far more focused on the incarnation, "the Word Became flesh," than they were on the story of a baby in a manger.

Corde natus ex parentis, or "Of the Father's Love Begotten" was written in the 5th century by Au­rel­i­us Pru­den­ti­us. Rather than focusing on the historical account, Prudentius gives us details on the means and purpose and background of the Messiah's coming.

Since there are more verses than are found in most hymnals, the English and Latin texts are taken from the original Cyber Hymnal, now found at www.hymntime.com. The English text has the addition of "evermore and evermore" at the end of each stanza, so the Latin phrase, "saeculorum saeculis" has been added below.

If you listen to just one of these settings, take the last one, which combines the ancient chant with a modern South African freedom song.

~~~~~


Fred Gramann: Change Ring Prelude on Divinum Mysterium
Back Bay Ringers

~~~

Corde natus ex parentis
Ante mundi exordium
A et O cognominatus,
Ipse fons et clausula
Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt,
Quaeque post futura sunt,
Saeculorum saeculis.

Of the Father’s love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!


Paul Wohlgemuth: Of the Father's Love Begotten
Baylor University Combined Choirs

~~~

Ipse iussit et creata,
Dixit ipse et facta sunt,
Terra, caelum, fossa ponti,
Trina rerum machina,
Quaeque in his vigent sub alto
Solis et lunae globo,
Saeculorum saeculis.

At His Word the worlds were framèd;
He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean
in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun,
Evermore and evermore!


Unknown: Of the Father's Love Begotten
Musaic

~~~

Corporis formam caduci,
Membra morti obnoxia
Induit, ne gens periret
Primoplasti ex germine,
Merserat quem lex profundo
Noxialis tartaro,
Saeculorum saeculis.

He is found in human fashion,
Death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children
Doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below
Evermore and evermore!


"BrotherAlphonsusMary" sings without accompaniment

~~~

O beatus ortus ille,
Virgo cum puerpera
Edidit nostram salutem,
Feta Sancto Spiritu,
Et puer redemptor orbis
Os sacratum protulit,
Saeculorum saeculis.

O that birth forever blessèd,
When the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face,
Evermore and evermore!


Wilbur Held: Divinum Mysterium
"Heavyvoxes"

~~~

Psallat altitudo caeli,
Psallite omnes angeli,
Quidquid est virtutis usquam
Psallat in laudem Dei,
Nulla linguarum silescat,
Vox et omnis consonet,
Saeculorum saeculis.

This is He whom seers in old time
Chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord,
Evermore and evermore!


Justin Merritt: Corde Natus ex Parentis
Arizona State Symphonic Choir

~~~

Ecce, quem vates vetustis
Concinebant saeculis,
Quem prophetarum fideles
Paginae spoponderant,
Emicat promissus olim;
Cuncta conlaudent eum,
Saeculorum saeculis.

O ye heights of heaven adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him,
And extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing,
Evermore and evermore!


Unknown: Of the Father's Love Begotten
The Sons of Orpheus

~~~

Macte iudex mortuorum,
Macte rex viventium,
Dexter in Parentis arce
Qui cluis virtutibus,
Omnium venturus inde
Iustus ultor criminum,
Saeculorum saeculis.

Righteous judge of souls departed,
Righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted
None in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive,
Evermore and evermore!


Unknown: Of the Father's Love Begotten
Santa Barbara High School Madrigals

~~~

Te senes et te iuventus,
Parvulorum te chorus,
Turba matrum, virginumque,
Simplices puellulae,
Voce concordes pudicis
Perstrepant concentibus,
Saeculorum saeculis.

Thee let old men, thee let young men,
Thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens,
With glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring,
Evermore and evermore!


Unknown: Of the Father's Love Begotten
Cool Springs Symphony

~~~

Tibi, Christe, sit cum Patre
Hagioque Pneumate
Hymnus, decus, laus perennis,
Gratiarum actio,
Honor, virtus, victoria,
Regnum aeternaliter,
Saeculorum saeculis.

Christ, to Thee with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving,
And unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore!


Sean Ivory and Paul Caldwell: Hope for Resolution
[Of the Father's Love Begotten
with Thula sizwe,
a South African Freedom Song]
Lutheran Youth Choir of North America

~~~~~