Let Us All With Gladsome Voice

For Christmas or For New Year

Words  "Lasst uns alle froehlich sein" by U. Langhanns, 1632
Translated by Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878), The Chorale Book For England, 1863

Text: 2 Cor. 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich. (KJV)

Music: Lasst Uns Alle Frohlich Sein, Anonymous, from Freylinghausens Gesangbuch, 1632
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML

Source: William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. Congregational Edition. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863, Supp. 1865), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #29.

1. Let us all with gladsome voice
    Praise the God of heaven,
Let us all with gladsome voice
    Praise the God of heaven,
Who, to bid our hearts rejoice,
    His own Son hath given.

2. Down to this sad earth He comes,
    Here to serve in deigning,
Down to this sad earth He comes,
    Here to serve in deigning,
That with Him in yon fair homes
    We may once be reigning.

3. We are rich, for He was poor;
    Gaze upon this wonder?¹
We are rich, for He was poor;
    Gaze upon this wonder?
Let us praise God evermore²
    Here on earth and yonder.

4. Look on all who sorrow here,
    Lord, in pity bending,
Look on all who sorrow here,
    Lord, in pity bending,
Grant us now a glad New Year.
    And a blessed ending!!

Alternate Second Verse from Hardwig (below):

2. To this vale of tears He comes,
    Here to serve in sadness,
That with Him in yon fair homes
    We may reign in gladness.

Alternate Fourth Verse from Hardwig (below):

4. O Lord Christ, our Savior dear,
    Be Thou ever near us.
Grant us now a glad new year.
    Amen, Jesus, hear us!

Notes:

1. Or: Is not this a wonder? Return

2. Or: Therefore praise God evermore Return

Sheet Music from William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. Congregational Edition. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863, Supp. 1865), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #29.

Sheet Music to "Original Tune" from William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #29.

Sheet Music from O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #118.

Note that Hardwig has changed this from a six-line verse to a four-line verse.

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