Words: Geist­liche Lied­er (Mag­de­burg, Ger­ma­ny: 1540) (Freut euch ihr Christ­en); trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by , Chor­ale Book for Eng­land (Lon­don: Long­man, Green, Long­man, Ro­berts and Green, 1863), num­ber 32.

Music: Val­et Will Ich Dir Ge­ben, , 1613.


Rejoice, rejoice, ye Christians, with all your heart this morn!
O hear the blessèd tidings, the Lord, the Christ is born,
Now brought us by the angels that stand about God’s throne;
O lovely are the voices that make such tidings known!

O hearken to their singing! This Child shall be your Friend;
The Father so hath willed it, that thus your woes should end.
The Son is freely given, that in Him ye may have
The Father’s grace and blessing, and know He loves to save.

Nor deem the form too lowly that clothes Him at this hour;
For know ye what it hideth? ’Tis God’s almighty power.
Though now within the manger so poor and weak He lies,
He is the Lord of all things, He reigns above the skies.

Sin, death, and hell, and Satan have lost the victory;
This Child shall overthrow them, as ye shall surely see;
Their wrath shall aught avail them; fear not, their reign is o’er;
This Child shall overthrow them; Oh hear and doubt no more.