In Dulci Jubilo
Michael Praetorius Lyrics
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nun singet und seid froh.
Uns'res Herzens Wonne leit in praesepio
und leuchtet als die Sonne
matris in gremio.
Alpha es et O,
alpha es et O.
O Jesu, parvule.
Tröst mir mein Gemüte,
O puer optime.
Durch alle deine Güte,
O princeps gloriae.
Trahe me post te,
trahe me post te.
O patris caritas,
o nati lenitas!
Wir wär'n all verloren
per nostra crimina,
so hat er uns erworben
coelorum gaudia:
eia wär'n wir da,
eia wär'n wir da.
The song, "In dulci jubilo," which means "in sweet rejoicing," is a traditional, medieval song that was composed by Michael Praetorius. The opening line of the song invites the listeners to sing in joy and happiness. The verse describes the profound love and happiness that Christ brings to the hearts of people. The heart's deepest joy is found in the manger in which Christ was born, and he shines brighter than the sun in the heart of his mother.
The following stanzas of the song express the singer's feelings of longing and pain for Jesus. The phrase "O Jesu, parvule" directly translates to "Oh Jesus, little one." The singer seeks comfort from the boy Jesus because he is in pain. The boy Jesus is urged to draw the singer towards him, into the light of faith, and to relieve the singer's soul with his goodness.
The third stanza expresses the singer's gratitude with "O patris caritas, o nati lenitas," meaning "Oh love of the father, oh gentleness of the son." The last two lines affirm the essential message of the song, which is that Christ's birth grants people salvation. Praetorius's "In dulci jubilo" is a touching, heartfelt song that celebrates the joy of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
In dulci jubilo,
In sweet rejoicing,
nun singet und seid froh.
now sing and be happy.
Uns'res Herzens Wonne leit in praesepio
Our heart's delight lies in the manger,
und leuchtet als die Sonne
and shines like the sun
matris in gremio.
in the lap of his mother.
Alpha es et O,
You are Alpha and Omega,
O Jesu, parvule.
Oh, little Jesus.
Nach dir ist mir so weh.
I am in such pain for You.
Tröst mir mein Gemüte,
Comfort my soul,
O puer optime.
O best of boys.
Durch alle deine Güte,
Through all Your goodness,
O princeps gloriae.
O prince of glory.
Trahe me post te,
Draw me after You,
trahe me post te.
draw me after You.
O patris caritas,
O love of the Father,
o nati lenitas!
O gentleness of the Son!
Wir wär'n all verloren
We were all lost
per nostra crimina,
because of our sins,
so hat er uns erworben
so He has saved us
coelorum gaudia:
the joys of heaven:
eia wär'n wir da,
Oh, that we were there,
eia wär'n wir da.
Oh, that we were there.
Writer(s): Hawley W. Ades, Michael Praetorius
Contributed by Nolan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@howardhadley9347
very nice...have never heard this arrangement.
@danielhowe1040
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_dulci_jubilo - it appears the original key is in G. This is a wonderful rendition - can't wait to get a couple of choirs together to sing it!
@Danbearpig
No. Praetorius’ version was in F. Though tuning would have been different. Bach also has famous arrangements, in several different keys.
@philiph6456
Love this more than the Anglicized "Good Christian Men Rejoice"
@sapper82
Who was the demented soul who took a fabulous old German carol and inserted a totally unnecessary 3rd line of two notes from a foghorn?
Give me Michael Praetorius any day.
@rommmi6893
Maravilloso!!Muchas gracias. felicitaciones al director y su grupo elxecio coral!
@tomboysuze
Excellent!! But every time I hear the Praetorius version of" In Dulci Jubilo", I can't help thinking that this is a Christmas carol acid trip. :)
@juancampos9273
Hizo al hombre a imagen y semeganza suya.
@janosszalai5044
Like Jovanni Perluigi da Palestrina
@stufour
More like Gabrielli