It’s Friday again! They must be sneaking extra Fridays into the week these days.
I’m working on a slide deck and a Quizizz quiz for the Macaronic Christmas Hymn, In Dulci Jubilo.
This is originally a German carol, mixing Deutsch and Latin. Germany, like Italy, is something of a confederation of different states with different dialects, so the original version doesn’t look very much like the standard German you get when you learn German.
Since German is related to English, thanks to those Saxon raiders, someone called Pearsall was able to make a version in Latin and English which is probably still the most popular version.
*In dulci jubilo,* Let us our homage show!
Our heart's joy reclineth *In praesepio;*
And like a bright star shineth *Matris in gremio.*
*Alpha es et O!*
*O Jesu parvule,* My heart is sore for Thee!
Hear me, I beseech Thee, *O puer optime;*
My praying let it reach Thee, *O princeps gloriae.*
*Trahe me post te.*
*O patris caritas!* *O Nati lenitas!*
Deeply were we stained. *Per nostra crimina:*
But Thou for us hast gained *Coelorum gaudia,*
*Qualis gloria!*
*Ubi sunt gaudia,* If that they be not there?
There are Angels singing *Nova cantica;*
And there the bells are ringing *In Regis curia.*
O that we were there!
| Latin | English |
|---|---|
| In dulci jubilo | In sweet joyful song |
| In praesepio | in a manger |
| Matris in gremio | In the bosom of the Mother |
| Alpha es et O | you are the Alpha and Omega |
| O Jesu parvule | O little Jesus |
| O puer optime | O excellent boy |
| 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 born gentleness |
| Per nostra crimina | for our crimes |
| Coelorum gaudia | joys of heavens |
| Qualis gloria! | What glory! |
| Ubi sunt gaudia | where are joys |
| Nova cantica | new songs |
| In Regis curia | in the court of the King |