Francis Kinwelmersch · Quattro strofe e ritornello
From Virgin’s womb this day, this day did spring
The precious Seed that only saved man:
This day let man rejoice and sweetly sing,
Since on this day our Saviour first began:
This day did Christ man’s soul from death remove
With glorious saints to dwell in Heaven above.
Rejoice, rejoice, with heart and voice,
In Christ His birth this day rejoice.
This day to man came pledge of perfect peace,
This day to man came love and unity,
This day man’s grief began for to surcease,
This day did man receive a remedy
For each offence and every deadly sin
With guilty heart that erst he wandered in.
Rejoice, rejoice, with heart and voice,
In Christ His birth this day rejoice.
In Christ His flock let love be surely placed,
From Christ His flock let concord hate expel,
Of Christ His flock let love be so embraced
As we in Christ and Christ in us may dwell.
Christ is the author of sweet unity
From whence proceedeth all felicity.
Rejoice, rejoice, with heart and voice,
In Christ His birth this day rejoice.
O sing unto this glittering, glorious King,
O praise His name, let every living thing;
Let heart and voice like bells of silver ring
The comfort that this day to man doth bring:
Let lute, let shawm, with sound of sweet delight
These joys of Christ His birth this day recite.
Rejoice, rejoice, with heart and voice,
In Christ His birth this day rejoice.
