Hearts At Christmas Time Were Jolly

For Christmas

Words: Words: "Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen," Paul Gerhardt, from Crüger's Praxis Pietatis Melica, #104, 1656; trans. by "A. G."

Music: "Bonn (Warum Sollt Ich)" by Johann Georg Ebeling (1637-76)

Source: Percy Dearmer, Ralph  Vaughan Williams, and Martin Shaw, eds., Songs of Praise. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1931, #89.

1. Hearts at Christmas time were jolly:
    For a day
    Fled away
All our gloom and folly.
Hear, O hear, the message sung us
    In the air
    Everywhere:
Christ has come among us.

2. Come to bring a better morrow,
    Preach God's Realm
    And o'erwhelm
Selfishness and sorrow.
Men's devices spin to zero;
    He attains,
    His plan reigns:
Prophet he and hero.

3. For thy sake, then, single hearted,
    Let us use
    That good news
By thy life imparted.
Never shall our wills oppose thee;
    Noble flower,
    Seed of power,
Hearts of men enclose thee.

4. Art and science circle o'er thee,
    Counsel, might,
    Left and right;
Wisdom rides before thee.
Plans and pleas of men are hollow:
    Son of God,
    At thy nod
We will up and follow.

Sheet Music "Bonn (Warum Sollt Ich)" by Johann Georg Ebeling (1637-76)  From Percy Dearmer, Ralph  Vaughan Williams, and Martin Shaw, eds., Songs of Praise. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1931, #89.

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.

Related Hymns and Carols