Joseph, lieber Joseph mein

General information

A German macaronic version of Resonet in laudibus. Originating as a lullaby in a mystery play at Leipzig, this carol shares its parent's tune and incorporates lines or couplets of the original Latin text within the vernacular lyrics.

Settings by composers

• Erhard Bodenschatz SATB
• Sethus Calvisius SSATTB
• Wolfgang Figulus SATB
• Hieronymus Praetorius
  • Joseph, lieber SSAA.TTBB or SSAT.ATBB
  • Ein Kindelein (pendant) SATB.SATB
• Leonhard Schröter
  • a 4 SATB
  • a 8 SSAATTBB
• Johann Walter SATTB

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Robert Franz — Joseph, lieber Joseph mein
• J. Guy Stalnaker — Resonet In Laudibus
• Traditional — Joseph, dearest Joseph mine

Text and translations

German and Latin text Joseph, lieber Joseph mein, hilf mir wiegen mein Kindelein, Gott, der wird/will dein Löhner sein im Himmelreich, der Jungfrau Kind Maria. Eia, eia. Sause. Virgo Deum genuit, quem/quod divina voluit clementia. Omnes nunc concinite, nato regi psallite, voce pia dicite: sit gloria Christo nostro infantulo. Hodie apparuit in Israel, quem prædixit Gabriel, est natus Rex.

English translation Joseph, my dear Joseph, help me rock my little child. God will recompense you in heaven, the Virgin Mary’s child. Hey, hey! The Virgin has given birth to God whom the divine mercy willed. Now let all sing together, sing to the newborn king, saying with devout voice, “Glory be to Christ our babe!” Today the one whom Gabriel predicted has appeared in Israel, has been born king.