From the Highest Heaven (Aus dem Himmel ferne) (Traditional)
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- Editor: Douglas Brooks-Davies (submitted 2004-06-23). Score information: A4, 2 pages, 84 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: #2 of 'Two German Carols', begins on page 2, translated and arranged by Douglas Brooks-Davies
General Information
Title: From the Highest Heaven (Aus dem Himmel ferne)
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Carols
Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published:
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
- 1.
- From highest heaven I come to tell
- The gladdest news that e'er befell;
- These tidings true to you I bring,
- And gladly of them say and sing.
- 2.
- 'To you today is given a Child,
- Born of a chosen virgin mild;
- That blessed Child, so sweet and kind,
- Shall give you joy and peace of mind.
- 3.
- 'Tis Christ our Lord and God indeed,
- Your help and stay in every need:
- Himself your Saviour He will be,
- From sin and death to set you free.
- 4.
- 'All blessedness to you he bears
- Which God the Father's love prepares;
- The heavenly kingdom ye shall gain,
- And now and ever with us reign.
- 5.
- 'Now hear the sign, and mark with care
- The swaddling clothes and crib so bare;
- There shall ye find this Infant laid
- Who all the world upholds and made.'
- 6.
- Then let us all our gladness show,
- And with the joyful shepherds go
- To see what God for us hath done,
- In sending us his glorious Son.
- 7.
- Awake, my soul! my heart, behold
- Who lieth in that manger cold!
- Who is this lovely baby boy?
- 'Tis Jesus Christ, our only joy.
- 8.
- Now welcome, ever-blessed guest,
- To sinful souls with guilt oppressed;
- In mercy come to our distress!
- How can we thank thy gentleness?
- 9.
- Ah, Lord, who all things didst create,
- How cam'st thou to this poor estate,
- To make the hay and straw thy bed,
- Whereon the ox and ass are fed?
- 10.
- Nay, were the world ten times so wide,
- With gold and gems on every side,
- Yet were it all too small to be
- A narrow cradle, Lord, for thee.
- 11.
- Thy samite and thy silk array
- Are swathing-bands and coarsest hay
- Which thou, O King, dost bathe with light
- As though enthroned in heaven bright.
- 12.
- And all this woe hath come to thee
- That thou might'st show the truth to me;
- For all the power and wealth of earth
- To thee are vile and nothing worth.
- 13.
- Ah, Jesu, my heart's treasure blest,
- Make thee a clean, soft cradle-nest
- And rest enshrined within my heart,
- That I from thee may never part.
- 14.
- So shall I evermore rejoice,
- And bounding sing, with heart and voice,
- A lullaby which Thou wilt own,
- The spirit's song of sweetest tone.
- 15.
- To God on high all glory be,
- Who gave His only Son for me;
- For which the Angels carol clear
- And sing us such a glad New Year.