In Dulci Jubilo

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Traditional German Carol, 14th-15th cent.

The text, a mixture of Latin and German, is ascribed to the Dominican friar and mystic writer Heinrich Sues (Henricus Suso, †1366), who is said to have heard angels singing it during one of his ecstasies.

The melody is among the best known in the Lutheran tradition. The original (or oldest known) version is ascribed to Peter von Dresden (ca. 1440). It has been arranged and harmonised by countless composers. The most popular versions are by Michael Prætorius, in his collection 'Musae Sionae' (1605-10), and J.S. Bach (Weinachts-Oratorium, BWV 248, 1734-35).

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!
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 patris caritas,
o nati lenitas!
Wir wären all verloren
per nostra crimina,
so hat er uns erworben
coelorum gaudia:
eia wären wir da!
Ubi sunt gaudia,
nirgends mehr denn da!
Da die Engel singen,
o nova cantica,
und die Schellen klingen,
in Regis curia:
eia wären wir da!