A Child is Born in Bethlehem
Tune: Puer Natus. Chorale setting by Bach from the
Orgelbüchlein. [Download the
mp3]
A child is born in Bethlehem,
Alleluia!
Exult for joy Jerusalem,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Lo, He who reigns above the skies
Alleluia!
There, in a manger lowly, lies.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The ox and ass in neighbouring stall
Alleluia!
See in that Child the Lord of all.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And kingly pilgrims, long foretold,
Alleluia!
From East bring incense, myrrh, and gold,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And enter with their offerings,
Alleluia!
To hail the new-born King of Kings.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
He comes, a maiden mother's Son,
Alleluia!
Yet earthly father hath He none;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And, from the serpent's poison free,
Alleluia!
He owned our blood and pedigree.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Our feeble flesh and His the same,
Alleluia!
Our sinless kinsman He became,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
That we, from deadly thrall set free,
Alleluia!
Like Him, and so like God, should be.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Come then, and on this natal day,
Alleluia!
Rejoice before the Lord and pray.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And to the Holy One in Three
Alleluia!
Give praise and thanks eternally.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Puer natus in Bethlehem,
Alleluia!
Unde gaudet Jerusalem.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hic jacet in præsepio,
Alleluia!
Qui regnat sine termino.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cognovit bos et asinus,
Alleluia!
Quod puer erat Dominus.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Reges de Sabâ veniunt,
Alleluia!
Aurum, thus, myrrhum offerunt.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Intrantes domum invicem,
Alleluia!
Novum salutant principem.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
De matre natus virgine,
Alleluia!
Sine virili femine;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sine serpentis vulnere,
Alleluia!
De nostro venit sanguine;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
In carne nobis similis,
Alleluia!
Peccato sed dissimilis;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ut redderet nos homines,
Alleluia!
Deo et sibi similes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
In hoc natali gaudio,
Alleluia!
Benedicamus Domino:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Laudetur sancta Trinitas,
Alleluia!
Deo dicamus gratias.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
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