O Kerstnacht (Luc Jakobs)

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• CPDL #09851: 

Editor: Luc Jakobs (submitted 2005-09-26).   Score information: A4, 5 pages, 106 kB   Copyright: Personal. Please inform the composer of any performances of this work.

General Information

Title: O Kerstnacht, schooner dan de dagen
Composer: Luc Jakobs
Lyricist: Joost van den Vondel

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: Sacred, Carol

Language: Dutch
Instruments: A cappella

Published: 2005

Description: Dutch Christmas Carol

External websites:

• Composer's website

Original text and translations

Dutch text O Kerstnacht, schooner dan de daegen, Hoe kan Herodes 't licht verdraegen, Dat in uw duisternisse blinckt, En wort geviert en aengebeden? Zijn hooghmoed luistert na geen reden, Hoe schel die in zijn ooren klinckt. Hy pooght d'onnoosle te vernielen Door 't moorden van onnoosle zielen, En werckt een stad en landgeschrey, In Bethlehem en op den acker, en maeckt den geest van Rachel wacker, Die waeren gaet door beemd en wey, Dan na het westen, dan na'et oosten. Wie zal die droeve moeder troosten Nu zy haer lieve kinders derft? Nu zy die ziet in 't bloed versmooren, Aleerze naulix zijn geboren, en zoo veel zwaerden rood geverft?

English translation Lovelier than day is Christmas night: How can Herod stand the blinding light That burns through its dank gloom, Received with joy, by all adored? Reason by Herod is abhorred; His arrogance leaves it no room. He thinks to murder one baby boy If every innocent he destroy: Cries re-echo far and wide, In Bethlehem, in crofts and homes. Rachel's spirit wakes and roams All around the countryside, Now to the east and now to the west. Who can console a mother so distressed To see her children dead, Over their blood-drenched bodies to mourn, Those babes so newly born, And see all those swords dyed red? Translation by Mick Swithinbank