In Dulci Jubilo
Year: 1328
Written By: Heinrich Seuse
The Christmas carol 'In dulci jubilo' dates back to the middle
Ages. It was originally set in text of German and Latin. The
original song text is thought to have been written by Heinrich
Seuse(who was German) in 1328. Theory of Seuse's inspiration is
that he heard angels sing these words and joined them in a dance of
worship. Translations of this carol have been common, for example a
notable version in English was by J.M. Neale. His arrangement 'Good
Christian Men' was very popular as was Robert Pearsall's 1837
translation. 'In dulchi jubilo' is translated as 'In sweet
rejoicing'.
The tune first appears in Codex 1305 which dates from c.1400,
however this has been the cause of debate some suggest that the it
existed in Europe before then. The carol has been popular all over
Europe, with a Swedish/Latin version in the 1582 Finnish songbook
Piae Cantiones, this songbook is a collection of sacred and secular
medieval songs.
Translations in to English have also occurred with Robert Lucas
de Pearsall's 1837 translation being most popular. It was so
popular that a 2008 survey by BBC Music Magazine found it to be the
second most popular choral Christmas carol.
Dieterich Buxtehude also set the melody as a chorale-cantata in
1683 which was for soprano, alto and bass and to be accompanied by
two violins and continuo. There was also a chorale prelude
for the organ. One composer who set this melody on a number of
occasions was J.S. Bach. Norman Dello Joio uses 'In dulchi jubilo'
as his theme as the basis of his "Variants on a Medieval Tune"which
was designed for a wind ensemble. Ronald Corp also composed a
setting of 'In dulci jubilo', and this was for an unaccompanied
SATB choir back in 1976.
The English musician Mike Oldfield created his own instrumental
version of Pearsall's version of, 'In dulci jubilo', this was a
chart success, peaking at number 4 in January 1976 in the United
Kingdom. This success of Mike Oldfield's version came from his
second version of 'In dulci jubilo' that Oldfield had recorded.
Oldfield's first version was used as a B-side for a different
single called 'Don Alfonso'. The Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø
recorded his own Kjetil Bjerkestrand arrangement of the song, which
included the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. His version featured on the
Grammy Award-nominated Christmas album Spirit of the Season.
In Dulci Jubilo Lyrics
Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born to-day;
Ox and ass before him bow,
And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born to-day!
Christ is born to-day!
Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath oped the heavenly door,
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
In Dulci Jubilo Christmas Videos (Click to Play)
Rate Different Artist Versions of In Dulci Jubilo
| Artist Name | Current Rating | Your Rating | Preview |
|---|
| Ikon | | | |
| New College Choir | | | |
| Philip Brunelle | | | |
| Symphony Brass Of Chicago | | | |
| Choir Of King's College, Cambridge | | | |
| Die Roten Rosen | | | |
| Die Toten Hosen | | | |
| Exam Study Classical Music Orchestra | | | |
| King's College Choir | | | |
| Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band | | | |
| Mike Oldfield | | | |
| Oxford St. Peter's Choir | | | |
| Paul Mccandless | | | |
| The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge | | | |
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