Hajej, Nynej, Jezisku

Traditional Czech Carol

MIDI / Noteworthy Composer

1. Hajej, nynej, Jezisku, Jezisku.,
Pucime ti kozisku,
Budeme te kolibati,
Abys moh’ libe pospati,
Hajej, nynej Jezisku,
Pucime tikozisku

2. Hajej, nynej, milacku, milacku,
Mariansky synacku.
Budeme te kolibati,
Abys moh’ libe pospati,
Hajej, nynej Jezisku,
Pucime tikozisku

Translations include:

• Jesu, Jesu, Baby Dear, Free translation by Walter Ehret; Keyte and Parrott, The New Oxford Book of Carols. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992; carol 183.

• Jesus, Jesus, Little One, Translator Unknown

• Little Jesus, Sweetly Sleep, Translation by Percy Dearmer. Oxford Book of Carols. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1928, Carol #87. Also known as "Rocking," "Rocking Song" and "Lullaby."

• Rocking Carol, Translation by George K. Evans, The International Book of Carols. Fort Lauderdale, FL: Walton Music Corporation, 1963, page 226. Also known as Jesus, Jesus, Baby Dear.

• Shepherd's Rocking Carol, Translation by Elizabeth Poston, copyright 1965

Earthly Delights: Xmas Carols

This carol is of Czech origin. It was collected in the early 1920 by a Miss Jacubickova as 'Hajej, nynjej' and translated (very loosely) by Percy Dearmer, for The Oxford Book of Carols in 1928. Dearmer was a clergyman and socialist with a keen interest in contemporary concerns, social gospel and rescuing neglected English carols and introducing European carols. The final line of Dearmers's version has not appealed to everyone, and some have sought to change it, e.g. to 'Son of God and Son of Man.' The tune for the carol has a close resemblance to that of another traditional lullaby, 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star', and it is possible that this carol originally accompanied cradle rocking, a custom which began in German churches in medieval times and spread from there across Europe. The carol was popularised in the English speaking world by a recording made in the 1960s by Julie Andrews.

 

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