O du fröhliche
"O du fröhliche" is the final song sung in Protestant services on Christmas Eve in Germany.
O du fröhliche
O, You Merry!
Christmas Carol
Christmas Carol
(German)
(English)
O du fröhliche, o du selige,
gnaden bringende Weihnachtszeit!
Welt ging verloren, Christ ist geboren:
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!
O du fröhliche, o du selige,
gnaden bringende Weihnachtszeit!
Christ ist erschienen, uns zu versühnen:
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!
O du fröhliche, o du selige,
gnaden bringende Weihnachtszeit!
Himmlische Heere jauchzen Dir Ehre:
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!
O, you merry, O you blessed,
Bringing grace at Christmastime!
The world was lost, Christ is born,
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christendom!
O, you merry, O you blessed,
Bringing grace at Christmastime!
Christ appeared to atone for us,
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christendom!
O, you merry, O you blessed,
Bringing grace at Christmastime!
Celestial hosts rejoice to honor You,
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christendom!
Notes
John Daniel Falk (1768 - 1826) wrote this song to the tune of the Latin hymn "O Sanctissima". It's interesting to note that Falk had founded a rescue center for orphans. He dedicated this song to them in 1816.
The version of the song that's sung today takes the 1st verse of Falk's original song and combines it with two more (modern) verses written by Falk's assistant, Heinrich Holzschuher in 1829.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translation by Lisa Yannucci.
Vielen Dank!
