In dulci jubilo (quiet joy)
Let us our homage shew;
Our heart's joy reclineth
In praesepio
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio
Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule, (tiny Jesus)
I yearn for thee alway;
Listen to my ditty
O Puer optime, [best of boys]
Have pity on me, pity
O princeps gloriae! [prince of glory]
Trahe me post te! [draw me after Thee]
O Patris caritas, [love of the Father]
O Nati lenitas! [gentleness of the Son]
Deeply were we stain'ed
Per nostra crimina; [through our sins]
But thou hast for us gain'ed
Coelorum gaudia. [the joy of heaven]
O that we were there!
Ubi sunt gaudia, where, [where are joys]
If that they be not there?
There are angels singing
Nova cantica, [new songs]
There the bells are ringing
In Regis curia: [in the King's court]
O that we were there!
14th century German
Arranged RL. de Pearsall
Edited, Reginald Jacques
Oxford University Press