Contents

« Prev In dulci jubilo Next »
94

Henry of Loufenburg also wrote and widely introduced the use of many hymns in mixed Latin and German. Verses of this kind had long been a favourite amusement among the monks, and they seem now to have acquired a general popularity. The best-known of them all was a Christmas carol dating from the fourteenth century, which is found in many various versions, and of which the following is an imitation:--

CAROL.

i

In dulci jubilo In sweet Joy
Sing and shout all below!
He for whom we're pining
Lies in praesepio; In a manger;
Like the sun is shining
Matris in gremio. In His mothers lap.
Qui est A et O. Who is Alpha and Omega.
Qui est A et O.
 
O Jesu parvule, O infant Jesus,
How my heart longs for thee!
Soothe the sad and ailing,
O Puer optime, Child most excellent,
With Thy love unfailing!
O Princeps gloriae, O Prince of glory,
Trahe me post Te, Draw me after Thee!
Trahe me post Te!
 
Mater et filia, Mother and daughter,
O Mary, virgin aye,
Hadst thou not gained for us
Caelorum gaudia, The joys of heaven,
Death still had reigned o'er us
Per nostra crimina. For our sins.
Quanta gratia! How great the grace!
Quanta gratia!
95 
Ubi sunt gaudia? Where are those joys?
Only there where alway
Stand the angels singing
Nova cantica, New songs,
Their sweet voices ringing
In regis curia. In the King's court.
Would we were there to-day!
Would we were there to-day!

In dulci Jubilo, singet und seid froh

« Prev In dulci jubilo Next »
VIEWNAME is workSection