A Babe is Born in Bethlehem

For Christmas

Words and Music: Puer natus in Bethlehem, a 14^th Century Latin Hymn
See Puer natus in Bethlehem from Dreves, with notes.
Translation by P. H. Schaff, alt.

Music: "Puer Natus in Bethlehem" from Wittenberger Gesangbuch
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML

Source: O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #90.

1. A Babe is Born in Bethlehem,
In Bethlehem
Therefore rejoice, Jerusalem.
    Hallelujah, Hallelujah

2. He doth within a manger lie,
A manger lie
Whose throne is set above the sky,
    Hallelujah, Hallelujah

3. Stillness was all the manger round,
The manger round,
The creature its Creator found,
    Hallelujah, Hallelujah

4. The wise men came, led by the star,
Led by the star,
God, myrrh, and incense brought from far,
    Hallelujah, Hallelujah

5. His mother is the virgin mild,
The virgin mild,
And He the Father’s only Child,
    Hallelujah, Hallelujah

6. Like us, in flesh of human frame,
Of human frame,
Unlike in sin alone He came,
    Hallelujah, Hallelujah

7. The Holy Trinity be praised,
Hallelujah
To God our ceaseless thanks be raised,
    Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Another source adds the following verse:

On this most blessed Jubilee,
Jubilee,
All glory be, O God, to Thee.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Sheet Music from Charles L. Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), #463

Sheet Music from "Puer Natus" from Wittenberger Gesangbuch from O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #89

Sheet Music by L. M. Lindeman from O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #90

Editor's Note:

The text above is altered from the original; see: A Child Is Born in Bethlehem, Rejoice and sing, &c. P. Schaff, in his Christ in Song, N.Y. 1869 (link opens in a new window).

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