A great and mighty wonder (Michael Praetorius)

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(Posted 2020-12-12) CPDL #61939:

Editor: Andrew Sims (submitted 2020-12-12). Score information: A4, 1 page, 40 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: The hymn with four-part harmony and underlaid words in the version published in Hymns Ancient & Modern New Standard

(Posted 2020-12-12) CPDL #61938:

Editor: Andrew Sims (submitted 2020-12-12). Score information: A4, 1 page, 103 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: The hymn in the version published in Hymns Ancient & Modern New Standard, melody with words.

(Posted 2008-12-29) CPDL #18420:

Editor: Rod Mather (submitted 2008-12-29). Score information: Letter, 1 page, 24 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: A great and mighty wonder
Composer: Michael Praetorius
Tune: Es ist ein' Ros
Lyricist: Germanus of Auxerre

Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn Meter: 76. 76. 676

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella or keyboard

First published: 1609 in Musae Sioniae, sechster Theil, no. 53
2nd published: 1983 in Hymns Ancient and Modern, New Standard, no. 43
Description: For this tune with different, newer lyrics, see Es ist ein Ros entsprungen. These words derive from "Μέγα ĸαί παράδοξον θαυμα" by St. Germanus (c. 634–c. 734), translated by John Mason Neale.

External websites:

https://embassysingers.de/scores/hymns.html

Original text and translations

Original text and translations may be found at A great and mighty wonder.

English text

A great and mighty wonder,
a full and holy cure!
the Virgin bears the Infant
with virgin-honour pure:
(Refrain:) Repeat the hymn again
‘To God on high be glory,
and peace on earth to men.’

The Word becomes incarnate,
and yet remains on high;
and cherubim sing anthems
to shepherds from the sky:
Refrain

While thus they sing your Monarch,
those bright angelic bands,
rejoice, ye vales and mountains,
ye oceans, clap your hands:
Refrain

Since all he comes to ransom,
by all be he adored,
the infant born in Bethl’em,
the Saviour and the Lord:
Refrain

Translation by John Mason Neale