The hymn In Dulci Jubilo was originally a macaronic text, that is, a combination of Latin and another language, German in this case. The text presented here preserves the macaronic nature of the original, leaving the Latin and translating the German into English, preserving familiar phrases where possible and keeping the original rhyme scheme as much as possible. The full macaronic text is set within the music and available below the practice tracks on this page.
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In dulci jubilo, [In sweet joy]
Now sing, let gladness grow!
He from whom joy streameth
Lies in praesepio, [in a manger]
And like the sun He beameth
Matris in gremio, [In His mother’s bosom]
Alpha es et O! [Thou art Alpha and Omega]
O Jesu parvule, [O little Jesus]
I yearn for Thee alway!
Cheer my wearied spirit,
O puer optime, [O most excellent Boy]
Through all Thy grace and merit
O Princeps gloriae. [O Prince of Glory]
Trahe me post te! [Draw me after Thee]
O Patris caritas! [O love of the Father]
O Nati lenitas! [O gentleness of the Son]
Ruin we had wrought us
Per nostra crimina, [Through our offenses]
But Thou, O Lord, hast bought us
Coelorum gaudia. [The joys of heaven]
Oh, that we were there!
Ubi sunt gaudia? [Where are joys?]
Nowhere but above!
There are angels singing
Nova cantica, [New songs]
And the bells are ringing
In Regis curia. [In the King’s court]
Oh, that we were there!
