Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her (Martin Luther)

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In original German

• (Posted 2020-03-07)  CPDL #57400:     

Editor: Nikolaus Hold (submitted 2020-03-07).   Score information: A4, 1 page, 36 kB   Copyright: CC BY NC

Edition notes: Source: Neu Leipziger Gesangbuch

• (Posted 2000-11-27)  CPDL #01687: 

Editor: Christopher R. Baker (submitted 2000-11-27).   Copyright: CC BY 1.0

Edition notes:

In English translation, "From Heaven above to earth I come"

• (Posted 2008-12-29)  CPDL #18433: 

Editor: Rod Mather (submitted 2008-12-29).   Score information: A4, 1 page, 23 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: arranged by Alfred Dörffel

• (Posted 2000-11-27)  CPDL #01686: 

Editor: Christopher R. Baker (submitted 2000-11-27).   Copyright: CC BY 1.0

Edition notes: arranged by Alfred Dörffel, English translation by Catherine Winkworth

General Information

Title: Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her
Composer: Martin Luther
Lyricist: Martin Luther

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Carol

Languages: German, English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1682 in Neu Leipziger Gesangbuch (Gottfried Vopelius), p. 24
    2nd published: 1874 in Choralbuch zum Schul und häuslichen Gebrauch
    3rd published: 1882 in Liederbuch für Sonntagsschulen, no. 49
    4th published: 1892 in Sammlung von Volksgesängen für den Männerchor, II. Band (Gustav Weber), no. 4
    5th published: 1893 in Unser Liederbuch (E. Linder), no. 464
    6th published: 1923 in Chorbuch des „Sängerhain“ 1923- (Ernst Dahlke), p. 368

Description: 

View the Wikipedia article on Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her (Martin Luther).

Original text and translations

Original text and translations may be found at Vom Himmel hoch.

English translation

1.
From Heaven above to earth I come,
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing.

2.
To you, this night, is born a Child
Of Mary, chosen mother mild;
This tender Child of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all your earth.

3.
’Tis Christ our God, who far on high
Had heard your sad and bitter cry;
Himself will your Salvation be,
Himself from sin will make you free.

4.
He brings those blessings long ago
Prepared by God for all below;
That in His heavenly kingdom blest
You may with us forever rest.

5.
These are the tokens ye shall mark,
The swaddling clothes and manger dark;
There shall ye find the young Child laid,
By Whom the heavens and earth were made.

6.
Now let us all, with gladsome cheer,
Follow the shepherds, and draw near
To see this wondrous Gift of God,
Who hath His own dear Son bestowed.

7.
Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
What is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this Child, so young and fair?
The blessèd Christ Child lieth there!

8.
Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest,
Through Whom e’en wicked men are blest!
Thou com’st to share our misery,
What can we render, Lord, to Thee!

9.
Ah, Lord, who hast created all,
How hast Thou made Thee weak and small,
To lie upon the coarse dry grass,
The food of humble ox and ass.

10.
Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.

11.
For velvets soft and silken stuff
Thou hast but hay and straw so rough,
Whereon Thou King, so rich and great,
As ’twere Thy heaven, art throned in state.

12.
Thus hath it pleased Thee to make plain
The truth to us, poor fools and vain,
That this world’s honor, wealth and might
Are naught and worthless in Thy sight.

13.
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Here in my poor heart’s inmost shrine,
That I may evermore be Thine.

14.
My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep,
I too must sing, with joyful tongue,
That sweetest ancient cradle song.

15.
Glory to God in highest Heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given,
While angels sing, with pious mirth,
A glad New Year to all the earth.

Translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth, Lyra Germanica, 1855, alt.