The text, in Latin, is a typical song of praise, probably stemming from the Middle Ages. It follows the standard pattern for the time - a uniform series of four-line stanzas, each preceded by a two-line refrain (in the early English carol this was known as the burden). Carols could be on any subject, but typically they were about the Virgin Mary or the Saints of Christmas.
The English folk group Steeleye Span had a hit in 1973 (No. 14, UK singles chart) with an acappella recording of the song. Band guitarist Bob Johnson heard the song when he attended a folk-carol service with his father-in-law in Cambridge (UK), and brought it to the attention of the rest of the band.
This single is one of only three top 50 British hits to be sung in Latin (the others were both recordings of "Pie Jesu" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem; firstly by Sarah Brightman and Paul Miles-Kingston in 1986, secondly as a minor hit by the 12-year-old Charlotte Church in 1998; in 1975 Mike Oldfield had a top 10 hit with "In Dulci Jubilo" but this Latin song was performed as an instrumental).
"Gaudete" is also one of only a handful of acappella performances to become hit singles.
Gaudete
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Tempus adest gratiae, hoc quod optabamus
Carmina laetitiae devote redamus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Deus homo factus est natura mirante
Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Ezechielis porta clausa per transitur
Unde lux est orta salus invenitur
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Ergo nostra cantio psallat iam in lustro
Benedicat domino salus regi nostro
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
The lyrics to Steeleye Span's "Gaudete" are in Latin and translate to "Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born/ Of the virgin Mary, rejoice/ Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born/ Of the virgin Mary, rejoice/ The time of grace has come/ For which we have prayed/ Let us devoutly sing songs of joy." The song is a celebration of the birth of Christ and encourages listeners to rejoice and be grateful for God's grace.
The lyrics also reference the idea that "God became man" and "the world was renewed by Christ reigning." Biblical references are also used, such as the mention of the "closed gate of Ezekiel" opening and bringing forth "light and salvation." The final stanza encourages listeners to sing praises to the Lord and bless him for our salvation.
In summary, "Gaudete" is a joyful hymn that celebrates the birth of Christ and reminds listeners of God's grace and the renewal that comes through Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
From the virgin Mary, rejoice
Tempus adest gratiae, hoc quod optabamus
The time of grace has come, what we have desired
Carmina laetitiae devote redamus
Let us devoutly sing songs of joy
Deus homo factus est natura mirante
God is made man, to the wonder of nature
Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante
The world is renewed by Christ's reign
Ezechielis porta clausa per transitur
Through Ezekiel's closed gate is the journey made
Unde lux est orta salus invenitur
Hence the light is come, salvation is found
Ergo nostra cantio psallat iam in lustro
Therefore let our song resound in brightness
Benedicat domino salus regi nostro
Let our salvation bless the Lord, our King
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL PHILIP MCGLYNN, . TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@russellwoodgates8591
[Translation]
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Christ is born of the Virgin Mary; Rejoice!
The time of grace has come for which we have prayed
Let us devoutly sing songs of joy
God is made man, while nature wonders
The world is renewed by Christ the King
The closed gate of Ezekiel has been passed through
From where the light has risen (the East), salvation is found
Therefore, let our assembly sing praises now at this time of purification
Let it bless the Lord: greetings to our King
@LeoPriscott-je7td
Lyrics:
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria Virgine, gaudete!
Tempus adest gratiae
Hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina laetitiae
Devot reddamus.
Deus homo factus est,
Natura mirante,
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante.
Ezecheelis porta
Clausa peretransitur,
Undelux est orta
Salus invenitur.
Ergo nostra contio,
Psallat jam in lustro,
Benedicat domino
Salus Regi nostro
@ChuckDeFuque
Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born
From the Virgin Mary, rejoice!
Now is the season of grace
This is what we were hoping for.
Songs of joy
Let's pay tribute.
God became man
Amazing nature
The world has been renewed
By Christ reigning.
Ezekiel's gate
It is closed
Undelux arose
Salvation is found.
Therefore, our meeting
He sings already in the mirror,
Bless the Lord
Salvation to our King
@hellfirepictures
Ouch. That google translate hasn't done a great job!
Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary – Rejoice!
The time of grace has come — as we have wished for; Songs of joy! Let us give back faithfully.
God has become man, with nature marvelling. The world has been renewed by the reigning Christ.
The closed gate of Ezekiel is passed through, (from) whence the light is risen; Salvation has been found.
Therefore, let our assembly now sing in brightness. Let it bless the Lord: Greetings to our King.
Note - 'undelux' is actually two words - 'Unde' and 'Lux' - meaning 'from where (whence) the light...' And Jesus definitely wasn't singing in no mirror 😂
@KittyKatt_Luna80s
Here we go:
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
This is the time of thanksgiving that we wished for.
Tempus ad est gratiae hoc quod optabamus,
We devoutly sing songs of joy.
Carmina laetitiae devote redamus.
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
God became man, being nature,
Deus homo factus est naturam erante,
The world has been renewed by the reigning Christ.
Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante.
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Ezekiel's gate was closed by the passerby
Ezecheelis porta clausa per transitor
Whence the light arose, the finder of pebbles.
Unde lux est orta sallus invenitor.
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Therefore, our congregation sings already in the twilight,
Ergo nostra contio psallat jam in lustro,
Bless the lord of the saddles for our king.
Benedicat domino sallas regi nostro.
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Rejoice, rejoice Christ is born
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
From the virgin Mary, rejoice.
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
@mythdweller
On Christmas Eve I like to drive around the town with this on full blast and windows down. It's freezing cold, but my mission is clear: to bring the best music to people.
@lynnethornewill9743
So nostalgic for me. Love it!
@LostsTVandRadio
The first song to be sung entirely in Latin that reached the UK top 20 singles chart.
Fifty years ago - seems like yesterday.
@barryphillips6845
Was there a second?
@LostsTVandRadio
Pie Jesu (Lloyd-Webber's Requiem) sung by Sarah Brightman & Paul miles Kingston in 1986@@barryphillips6845
@foxmulderGC
@@barryphillips6845Enigma - Sadness, Part 1
@barryphillips6845
@@foxmulderGC thanks. Just played it twice. Think I'll be playing it a lot more.
@graey1139
One of those songs where the vast majority don't understand the words, but the sound and possible memories it brings back, make it a classic.
@alwoodsmodellingmayhem
Agreed.👍👍
@comandantegorrion7271
Well, the chorus is pretty simple.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born to the Virgin Mary, rejoice!”
Or at least I’m pretty sure that’s the correct translation from Latin.