The Cyber Hymnal ‎#5297

5297. Oh, Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly

1. Oh, rejoice, ye Christians, loudly,
For your joy hath now begun;
Wondrous things our God hath done.
Tell abroad His goodness proudly,
Who our race hath honored thus
That He deigns to dwell with us.

Refrain
Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,
Christ hath done away with sadness!
Hence, all sorrow and repining,
For the Son of Grace is shining!

2. See, my soul, thy Savior chooses
Weakness here and poverty,
In such love He comes to thee
Nor the hardest couch refuses;
All He suffers for thy good,
To redeem thee by His blood. [Refrain]

3. Lord, how shall I thank Thee rightly?
I acknowledge that from Thee
Every blessing flows to me.
Let me not forget it lightly
But to Thee through all things cleave
So shall heart and mind receive: [Refrain]

4. Jesus, guard and guide Thy members,
Fill Thy brethren with Thy grace,
Hear their prayers in every place.
Quicken now life’s faintest embers,
Grant all Christians, far and near,
Holy peace, a glad new Year! [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Oh, rejoice, ye Christians, loudly
• Title: Oh, Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly
• German Title: Freuet euch, ihr Christen alle
• Author: Christian Keimann (1645)
• Translator (from German): Catherine Winkworth
• Refrain First Line: Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness
• Meter: 87.78.77.88.88
• Language: English
• Source: Published as Der neugeborne Jesus (Görlitz: 1646); translation in Chorale Book for England (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts and Green, 1863), number 33
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: The words were written for Keimann's students to perform at Christmas.

Tune Information

• Name: FREUET EUCH, IHR CHRISTEN
• Composer: Michael Hammerschmidt (1646)
• Meter: 87.78.77.88.88
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: Musikalische Andachten (Freiberg, Saxony: 1646)
• Copyright: Public Domain