Here is one of the beautiful carols from A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, live from King’s College, Cambridge, England, every Christmas Eve over Minnesota Public Radio. I listen to it live over the internet every year (iTunes-isn’t technology great!). It is first in German, then with English translation.
In dulci jubilo,
nun singet und seid froh!
Unsers Herzens Wonne liegt
in praesepio,
und leuchtet als die Sonne
matris in gremio.
Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule,
nach dir est mir so weh.
Tröst mir mein Gemüthe,
O Puer optime;
durch alle deine Güthe,
O Princeps Gloriae,
Trahe me post te!
O Patris caritas!
O Nati lenitas!
Wir wern all verhlohren
per nostra crimina;
so hat er uns erworben
caelorum gaudia;
Eya, wern wir da!
Ubi sunt gaudia?
Nirgend mehr denn da,
da die Engel singen
nova cantica,
und die Schellen klingen
in Regis curia;
Eya, wern wir da!
[TRANSLATION]
In sweet joy,
Now sing and be glad!
Our heart’s delight lies
In the manger,
And shines like the sun
In the mother’s lap.
Thou art Alpha and Omega!
O Jesus, little one,
My heart is sore for thee.
Console my spirit,
O Child so good;
Through all thy goodness,
O Prince of glory,
Lead me after thee!
O Father’s goodness!
O new-born gentleness!
We would all be lost
Through our sins;
But He has gained for us
The joys of heaven:
O that we were there!
Where are these joys?
Nowhere but there,
Where the Angels sing
New songs,
And bells ring
In the court of the King;
O that we were there!
Words, 14TH CENTURY GERMAN
Translators, VARIOUS
Music, H. PRAETORIUS
Mapa Mundi
I Commend Joy! 