A n Online Christmas Songbook
All My Heart This Night Rejoices

1.	All my heart this night rejoices, 
	As I hear, far and near, Sweetest angel voices; 
	'Christ is born!' their choirs are singing, 
	Till the air, ev'ry-where, Now with joy is ringing. 
	
2.	Hark! a voice from yonder manger, 
	Soft and sweet, doth entreat: 'Flee from woe and danger; 
	Brethren come: from all doth grieve you 
	You are freed, all you need I will surely give you.' 
	
3. 	Come, then, let us hasten yonder: 
	Here let all, great and small, Kneel in awe and wonder. 
	Love him who with love is yearning; 
	Hail the star that, from far, Bright with hope is burning. 

4. 	Ye who pine in weary sadness, 
	Weep no more, for the door, Now is found of gladness. 
	Cling to him, for he will guide you 
	Where no cross, pain or loss, Can again betide you. 

5. 	Blessed Saviour, let me find thee! 
	Keep thou me close to thee, Cast me not behind thee! 
	Life of Life, my heart thou stillest  
	Calm I rest on thy breast, All this void thou fillest. 

6.	Thee, O Lord, with heed I'll cherish, 
	Live to thee, and with thee; Dying shall not perish, 
	But shall dwell with thee for ever 
	Far on high, in the joy That can alter never.
Words:    Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen
Paul Gerhardt, Praxis Pietatis Melica, 1653
translation by Catherine Winkworth, Lyra Germanica, England 1858
Music:    WARUM SOLLT ICH MICH DENN GRÄMEN §1139
Johann Georg Ebeling, Das ander Dutzet Geistlicher Andacht-Lieder Herrn Paul Gerhardt's, Frankfurt, 1666
reconstruction by Daniel Vetter, Musicalishe Kirch- und Hauss-Ergötzlichkeit, Leipzig, Part II, 1713
version by Johann Sebastian Bach, Christmas Oratorio - Cantata for the Third Day of Christmas, 1734 §2139b
>>Midi File [s2139b.mid]<<
§1139  - Music by Johann Georg Ebeling
§2139c - Verse 4, music by J.S.Bach from C.P.E.Bach's collection.
§5800  - STELLA by Horatio W. Parker
©1999 by Christopher R. Baker Send mail to Christopher
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