A German Christmas Carol in Latin, German, and English
This traditional carol in Latin and German dates from the 14th century. There are two main German versions: a Catholic version (below in Latin and German) and a Protestant version (in German only). There are also several different English translations.
A 15th century illustration showing the German mystic Heinrich Seuse (Henry Suso), the possible author of the words to “In dulci jubilo.” Seuse was born near Lake Constance and died in Ulm, Germany in 1366.
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons
Also see the traditional English version of this carol (“Good Christian Men, Rejoice”).
Learn more in “About this Carol” and see videos below.
“In dulci jubilo”“In sweet jubilation” |
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| Deutsch (German) | English |
|---|---|
| Volksweise, seit spätestens 1320 Traditional melody dating from ca. 1320 |
Words: Henry Suso, 14th century Literal English translation – HF |
| In dulci jubilo,* nun singet und seid froh! Unsers Herzens Wonne leit in præsepio und leuchtet als die Sonne matris in gremio. Alpha es et O. |
In sweet jubilation, now sing and be joyous! Our heart’s bliss rests in a manger and shines like the sun in his mother’s lap. You are the alpha and omega. |
| 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. |
O tiny Jesus, my heart aches for Thee. Console me in my heart and soul, o best of boys; through all your good, o prince of glory, draw me to you. |
| Ubi sunt gaudia? Nirgend mehr denn da, da die Engel singen nova cantica und die Schellen klingen in regis curia. Eia, wärn wir da! |
Where are joys? Nowhere more than there where angels sing new songs and the bells ring in the courts of the King. Oh, were we only there! |
| O pater caritas o mater lenitas wir waren gar verdorben per nostra crimina: So hast du uns erworben coelorum gaudia. Maria, hilf uns da! |
Oh love of the Father oh gentleness of the Mother We were stained by our crimes: thus Thou hast for us acquired the joys of heaven. Maria, help us there! |
| *Latin in italics.
MORE > Protestant version of “In dulci jubilo” |
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About This Carol
“In dulci jubilo” as it appeared in a 1533 songbook: Geistliche lieder auffs new gebessert zu Wittemberg (Klug’sches Gesangbuch) PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons
This traditional carol in Latin and German dates from at least the 14th century. The words may have been written by the German Dominican monk and mystic Heinrich Seuse (1295-1366, known as Henry Soso in English), but that is not an established fact. It is known that Heinrich mentioned this song in his autobiography (Vita/Leben Seuse), the first ever written in German.
“In dulci jubilo” is a so-called “macaronic” song, one which combines Latin and a vernacular language such as German or English. Today in German there is a Catholic version (with a mixture of Latin and German) and a Protestant version (without any Latin). There are also several different English translations. The most common English version of “In dulci jubilo” is “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” with words by the English clergyman John Mason Neale (1818-1866).
Over time, various musical arrangements and melodies have been created for “In dulci jubilo” by several composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach. Other musical settings were written in 1607 by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) and in the 1860s by Sir John Stainer (Christmas Carols New and Old).
The Mannheim Steamroller album A Fresh Aire Christmas features “In dulci jublio” and several other German carols.
VIDEO 1: “In dulci jubilo” • J.S. Bach (German)
Collegium Musicum – Università di Bologna
VIDEO 2: “In dulci jubilo” • The Singers
Minnesota Choral Artists · Matthew Culloton
Next | German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
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- German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
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- Lyrics: “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”) – Lyrics in German and English
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