Earth Today Rejoices

For Christmas Day

Latin Text: Ave, Maris Stella, Diuinitatis cella

Words by Dr. John Mason Neale who notes "14th century. This carol, like several others, borrows in the Latin original the world-famous first line." 
Compare: Hail Thou Star That Guidest

Music: According to George Ratcliffe Woodward, the tune of Ave maris stella lucens miserts, a Phrygian Mode Melody found in Piae Cantiones, 1582 and adapted by Rev. Thomas Helmore. Harmony by Rev. Woodward.

Source: Collected Hymns, Sequences and Carols (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914), from John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore, Carols for Christmas-tide (London: Novello, 1853).

Notes: George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, First Series. Table Of Contents (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1902, Revised and Expanded Edition 1929), Carol #6

1. Earth to-day rejoices,
        Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
    Death can hurt no more;
And celestial voices,
        Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
    Tell that sin is o'er.
David's sling destroys the foe:
Samson lays the temple low:
    War and strife are done,
    God and man are one.

2. Reconciliation,
        Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
    Peace that lasts for aye;
Gladness and salvation,
        Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
    Came on Christmas Day.
Gideon's Fleece is wet with dew:
Solomon is crown'd anew:
    War and strife are done.
    God and man are one.

3. Though the cold grows stronger,
        Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
    Though the world loves night;
Yet the days grow longer,
        Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
    Christ is born, our Light.
Now the Dial's type is learnt:
Burns the Bush that is not burnt:
    War and strife are done;
    God and man are one.

Sheet Music from John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore, Carols for Christmas-tide: The Condensed Vocal Parts (London: Novello, 1854), pp. 17-19.

Sheet Music from George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, First Series Table Of Contents. (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1902, Revised and Expanded Edition 1929), Carol #6
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Sheet Music from Rev. J. Freeman Young, ed., Carols for Christmas Tide (New York: Daniel Dana, Jr., 1859), #2

Sheet Music for Ave, Maris Stella, Diuinitatis Cella from George Ratcliffe Woodward, Piae Cantiones: A Collection of Church & School Song, chiefly Ancient Swedish, originally published in A.D. 1582 by Theodoric Petri of Hyland. (London: Chiswick Press for the Plainsong & Medieval Music Society, 1910).

Sheet music to Ave maris stella lucens miserts from Piae Cantiones.

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