In dulci jubilo (quiet joy)

Let us our homage shew;

Our heart's joy reclineth

In praesepio

And like a bright star shineth

Matris in gremio

Alpha es et O!

O Jesu parvule, (tiny Jesus)

I yearn for thee alway;

Listen to my ditty

O Puer optime,

Have pity on me, pity

O princeps gloriae!

Trahe me post te!

O Patris caritas,

O Nati lenitas!

Deeply were we stain'ed

Per nostra crimina;

But thou hast for us gain'ed

Coelorum gaudia.

O that we were there!

Ubi sunt gaudia, where,

If that they be not there?

There are angels singing

Nova cantica,

There the bells are ringing

In Regis curia:

O that we were there!

14th century German

Arranged RL. de Pearsall

Edited, Reginald Jacques

Oxford University Press