Words: 15th Century Danish hymn, author unknown (Fryd dig, du Kristi Brud); appeared in a hymnal by A. R. Grydenrup in 1632. Translated from Danish to Swedish by , 1819, and from Swedish to English by , 1899.
Music: Auf Meinen Lieben Gott, secular melody; appeared in Schöne Kurzweilige Tetusche Lieder, by , 1574. B. Gesius used this as a sacred melody in 1605. Alternate tune:
O Bride of Christ, rejoice!
Exultant raise thy voice
To hail the day of glory,
Foretold in sacred story.
Refrain
Hosanna, praise and glory,
Our King, we bow before Thee.
Let shouts of gladness rise
Triumphant to the skies.
Here comes the King most glorious
To reign o’er all victorious
Refrain
He wears no kingly crown
Yet as a king He’s known;
Though not arrayed in splendor,
He still makes death surrender.
Refrain
The weak and timid find
How meek He is and kind;
To them He gives a treasure
Of bliss beyond all measure.
Refrain
Thy heart now open wide,
Bid Christ with thee abide;
He graciously will hear thee,
And be forever near thee.
Refrain
Then go thy Lord to meet;
Strew palm leaves at His feet;
Thy garments spread before Him
And honor and adore Him.
Refrain
E’en babes with one accord
With thee shall praise the Lord,
And every gentile nation
Respond with exultation.
Refrain