Saturday, December 10, 2011

Good Christians, Now Rejoice

We perform this song toward the end our concerts.  It's a variation of the old 14th century German melody, In Dulci Jubilo.  Nobody knows who composed this melody, but we do know that the lyrics to Good Christian Men Rejoice were written by Heinrich Suso (ca. 1295-1366), and that John Mason Neale freely translated them from Latin to English in Carols for Christmastide (London, 1853).  The piece we sing/play was arranged by Joseph M. Martin in 2004.

http://listeninglab.stantons.com/title/good-christians-now-rejoice/366741/

Good Christians, now rejoice
With heart and soul and voice.
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today.
Ox and ass before Him bow,
And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!

Good Christians, now rejoice
With heart and soul and voice.
Now we hear of endless bliss;
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven's door,
And we shall live forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!

Good Christians, now rejoice
With heart and soul and voice.
Now ye need not fear the grave
For Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!

Christ was born to save!
Alleluia!

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