In dulci jubilo
Regensburger Domspatzen Lyrics
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Nun singet und seid froh!
Unsers Herzens Wonne
Leit in praesepio,
Und leuchtet als die Sonne,
Matris in gremio.
Alpha es et O!
Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule,
Nach dir ist mir so Weh!
Tröst mir mein Gemüte,
O puer optime
Durch alle deine Güte,
O princeps gloriae,
Trahe me post te
Trahe me post te.
Ubi sunt gaudia,
Nirgends mehr denn da!
Da die Engel singen,
O nova cantica,
Und die Schellen klingen,
In Regis curia:
Eia wären wir da!
Eia wären wir da!
The lyrics to the Regensburger Domspatzen's song "In dulci jubilo" tell the story of the joy that comes with the birth of Jesus Christ. The opening lines invite us to sing and be happy, as our hearts are filled with joy at the scene in the manger where Jesus is born. The lyrics continue to describe the beauty and radiance of Jesus, who shines like the sun in the arms of his mother, Mary. The refrain "Alpha es et O" means "You are the beginning and the end," and emphasizes the transcendence and divinity of Christ.
The second verse is a plea to the infant Jesus, who is called "O Jesu parvule" (O little Jesus), to bring comfort to the singer's heart. The singer asks Jesus to draw him or her closer through his kindness and goodness, calling him "O puer optime" (O best of boys) and "O princeps gloriae" (O prince of glory). The final lines of the verse ask Jesus to lead the singer along with him, using the repeated phrase "Trahe me post te" (Draw me after you).
The final verse of "In dulci jubilo" expresses the ultimate joy that will be found in the company of the angels, who sing "O nova cantica" (Oh, new songs!) and ring bells in the courts of the King. The singer longs to be there and join in the chorus of the heavenly host, crying "Eia wären wir da!" (Oh, if we were there!)
Line by Line Meaning
In dulci jubilo
In sweet rejoicing
Nun singet und seid froh!
Now sing and be happy!
Unsers Herzens Wonne
The joy of our hearts
Leit in praesepio,
Lies in a manger,
Und leuchtet als die Sonne,
And shines like the sun,
Matris in gremio.
On his mother's lap.
Alpha es et O!
You are the Alpha and the Omega!
O Jesu parvule,
O little Jesus,
Nach dir ist mir so Weh!
I long for you so much!
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.
Ubi sunt gaudia,
Where are joys,
Nirgends mehr denn da!
Nowhere more than here!
Da die Engel singen,
Where the angels sing,
O nova cantica,
O new songs,
Und die Schellen klingen,
And the bells ring,
In Regis curia:
In the court of the King:
Eia wären wir da!
Oh, if only we were there!
Eia wären wir da!
Oh, if only we were there!
Writer(s): Franz, Lehrndorfer
Contributed by Asher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hariseldon2450
It's like listening to the angels sing.
@Toelzerfanclever
Nicht vergessen : Die ARD sendet am Abend des 30.12. den aktuellen WSK-Film "Kleine große Stimme" !