Monday, May 23, 2016

Seasonal Hymns: Christmas 205-214

205
Good Christian men, rejoice – V Triller / Neale trans

Good Christian men, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss;
Jesus Christ is born for this!
He hath opened heaven's door,
and man is blessèd evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!

206
All my heart this night rejoices – P Gerhardt / C Winkworth trans

All my heart this night rejoices,
as I hear,
far and near,
sweetest angel voices;
"Christ is born," their choirs are singing,
Till the air,
everywhere,
now with joy is ringing.

Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
soft and sweet,
doth entreat,
"Flee from woe and danger;
brethren, come; from all that grieves you
you are freed;
all you need
I will surely give you."

Come, then, let us hasten yonder;
here let all,
great and small,
kneel in awe and wonder,
love him Who with love is yearning;
hail the star
that from far
bright with hope is burning.

Thee, dear Lord, with heed I'll cherish;
live to thee
and with thee,
dying, shall not perish;
but shall dwell with thee for ever,
far on high,
in the joy
that can alter never.

207
Silent night! Holy night! – J Morh / J F Young trans

 Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
’round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing: “Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!”

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light,
radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!
Jesus Lord, at thy birth!

Silent night! Holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King:
“Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born.”

208
Unto us a boy is born – 15th Cent trad carol / P Dearmer trans

Unto us a boy is born!
King of all creation,
came he to a world forlorn,
the Lord of every nation,
the Lord of every nation.

Cradled in a stall was he
with sleepy cows and asses;
but the very beasts could see
that he all folk surpasses,
that he all folk surpasses.

Herod then with fear was filled;
'A prince', he said, 'in Jewry!'
All the little boys he killed
at Bethl'em in his fury,
at Bethl'em in his fury.

Now may Mary's son, who came
so long ago to love us,
lead us all with hearts aflame
unto the joys above us,
unto the joys above us.

Omega and Alpha he!
Let the organ thunder,
while we sing our songs with glee
and rend the air asunder,
and rend the air asunder.

209
What child is this, who, laid to rest – W C Dix

What child is this, who laid to rest,
on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
Refrain:
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary.


Why lies he in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading. Refrain

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
come, peasant, king, to own him;
the King of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone him. Refrain

210
Gentle Mary laid her child – J Cook

Gentle Mary laid her Child lowly in a manger;
There He lay, the undefiled, to the world a Stranger:
Such a Babe in such a place, can He be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race who have found His favor.

Angels sang about His birth; wise men sought and found Him;
Heaven's star shone brightly forth, glory all around Him:
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, heard the angels singing;
All the plains were lit that night, all the hills were ringing.

Gentle Mary laid her Child lowly in a manger;
He is still the undefiled, but no more a stranger:
Son of God, of humble birth, beautiful the story;
Praise His Name in all the earth, hail the King of glory!

211
Here betwixt ass and oxen mild – French 13th Cent. / W Douglas trans

212
A babe lies in the cradle – Corner's Geistliche Nachtigal / P England trans

A babe lies in the cradle,
a little babe so dear,
with noble light he shineth
as shines a mirror clear,
this little babe so dear.

The babe within the cradle
is Jesus Christ our Lord;
to us all peace and amity
at this good time afford,
thou Jesus Christ our Lord!

Whoso would rock the cradle
where lies the gentle child,
a lowly heart must lead him,
by passions undefiled,
as Mary pure and mild.

O Jesus, babe beloved!
O Jesus, babe divine!
How mighty is thy wondrous love!
Fill thou this heart of mine
with that great love of thine!

213
Angels we have heard on high – trad French carol / C Chadwick trans

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!


Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song? Refrain

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise. Refrain

214
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed – traditional carol attributions various


Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
close by me for ever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

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