“Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her” – Lyrics

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A German Christmas Carol in German and English

Music: Martin Luther, 1539
Lyrics: Martin Luther, 1534/1535

This is one of many hymns written by Martin Luther (1483-1546), the German Protestant reformer. He wrote “Vom Himmel hoch” for the Christmas Eve observance that was held annually at his home with his children. The text is related to the Nativity of Jesus, and is based on the Bible verses in Luke 2: 1-18. The opening verses were traditionally sung by a man dressed as an angel proclaiming the birth of Jesus. The full Luther version has 15 verses, but only six are usually sung today (shown below). The English version you see below is a literal prose translation. For the traditional English lyrics translated by Catherine Winkworth (with all 15 verses), see “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” (1855).

Strasbourg Hymnal

An early version of “Vom Himmel hoch” in the Straßburger Gesangbuch (Strasbourg Hymnal), 1541. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

The song’s melody was also composed by Luther (in 1539), but various versions and arrangements based on his music have been created or adapted by other composers, from Johann Sebastian Bach to Felix Mendelssohn. It has become a popular Christmas hymn, usually performed using Luther’s original 1539 melody.

Also see a video version of this carol below.

“Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her”
“From heaven above I come”
Deutsch (German) English
Text: Martin Luther, 1534 Literal English translation – HF
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her.
Ich bring’ euch gute neue Mär,
Der guten Mär bring’ ich so viel,
Davon ich sing’n und sagen will.		 From heaven above I come.
I bring you good new tidings,
Of glad tidings I bring so many,
Whereof I want to sing and say:
Euch ist ein Kindlein heut’ gebor’n
Von einer Jungfrau auserkor’n,
Ein Kindelein, so zart und fein,
Das soll eur’ Freud’ und Wonne sein.		 To you a small child is born today
of a chosen Virgin;
A little child so tender and fine,
should be your joy and bliss.
Es ist der Herr Christ, unser Gott,
Der will euch führ’n aus aller Not,
Er will eu’r Heiland selber sein,
Von allen Sünden machen rein.		 It is the Lord Christ, our God,
Who wants to lead you out of all adversity,
He Himself wants to be your Savior,
to purify you of all sins.
Er bringt euch alle Seligkeit,
Die Gott der Vater hat bereit,
Dass ihr mit uns im Himmelreich
Sollt leben nun und ewiglich.		 He brings you all blessings,
that God the Father has ready,
(so) that you with us in heaven
should live, now and forever.
So merket nun das Zeichen recht,
Die Krippe, Windelein so schlecht,
Da findet ihr das Kind gelegt,
Das alle Welt erhält und trägt.		 So note now the sign right,
the manger, swaddling-clothes so bad,
There you’ll find the Child laid,
who all the world maintains and bears.
Des laßt uns alle fröhlich sein
Und mit den Hirten gehn hinein,
Zu sehn, was Gott uns hat beschert,
Mit seinem lieben Sohn verehrt.		 Let us all be of good cheer
and go with the shepherds thereto
to see what God has bestowed upon us,
honored with his dear Son.
BACK > German Christmas Carol Lyrics


See the ENGLISH TRANSLATION by Catherine Winkworth (1855): The standard Lutheran English translation of “Vom Himmel hoch” – “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” (all 15 verses)

VIDEO: “Vom Himmel hoch” with on-screen lyrics

Next | German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English

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