Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

• Deuteronomy 6:5
  (hymns)
• Psalm 97
  (hymns)
• Matthew 1:20-21
  (hymns)
• Matthew 1:23
  (hymns)
• Matthew 2:1-12
  (hymns)
• Matthew 22:37
  (hymns)
• Mark 10:45
  (hymns)
• Mark 12:30
  (hymns)
• Luke 1:47
  (hymns)
• Luke 1:77-79
  (hymns)
• Luke 2
  (hymns)
• John 3:16-17
  (hymns)
• John 14:1-14
  (hymns)
• John 18:37
  (hymns)
• Ephesians 1:3-12
  (hymns)
• 1 Timothy 1:15
  (hymns)
• Titus 2:11-14
  (hymns)
• Hebrews 1:1-12
  (hymns)
• Hebrews 2:10-18
  (hymns)
• 1 Peter 1:8
  (hymns)
• Revelation 4:1
  (hymns)

The story of this hymn has always been about accessibility to the Christmas story. In the late medieval period, there was a tradition of using folk songs to teach illiterate church-goers the Gospel story. This hymn is a good example of that practice. Written in a combination of Latin and German, it would be familiar in both the vernacular and the language of the Church. When set to a familiar folk tune, the people would be able to sing along with ease, and would understand the story.

Over the centuries, this hymn has been translated into many different languages, so many more people could hear and sing these beautiful words that call us to praise. A missionary diary claims that on September 14, 1745, at the Moravian mission in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this hymn was simultaneously sung in thirteen different languages. What a marvelous thought, that we can sing the same song with brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, celebrating the story that began all of our own stories.

Text:

The original text of this hymn was written in both German and Latin, probably in the fourteenth century, since the earliest manuscript dates from around 1400. John M. Neale translated the hymn and paraphrased it rather loosely, but his translation is the most commonly used today. Most modern hymnals include almost the same text, with a few small exceptions. Some hymnals, such as the Trinity Hymnal, have replaced “ox and ass” with “Earth and heav’n,” others, like Common Praise, have replaced “ye” with “you,” and others, such as the Psalter Hymnal, have replaced the non-inclusive “men” with “friends” or “all.”

Tune:

IN DULCI JUBILO was an old German folk dance filled with rhythmic energy and exuberance. Paul Westermeyer notes, “The catchy melody bounces along in a triple rhythm that is easily sung and danced” (Let the People Sing, 39), and Albert Bailey acknowledges that “the continued popularity of the carol is undoubtedly due in part to the swinging fourteenth-century German melody to which it is set” (The Gospel in Hymns, 276).

This sprightly tune needs little in the way of accompaniment; else it could become bogged down. Try playing with light picking on the acoustic guitar, and if you can, have a pipe or flute, or a violin play the melody in a medieval/celtic style. If you have an organ, use flute stops or a very light registration, and sing one verse a cappella.

When/Why/How:

This Christmas hymn acts as a wonderful Call to Worship on Christmas morning, calling God’s people to enter into worship rejoicing, for Christ the Savior is born.

Alternative Harmonization for Organ:

• Burkhardt, Michael. Easy Hymn Settings - Christmas

Alternative Harmonization for Piano:

• Hopson, Hal H. The Creative Use of the Piano in Worship
• Carter, John. More Carols for Piano

Choral:

• Holstein, Jane. Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
• 12 Carols for about 12 Singers (Easy-to-prepare Christmas Anthems for SAB Choirs)
• Culloton, Matthew. In dulci jubilo, Latin and English text to the tune IN DULCI JUBILO
• Proulx, Richard. Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, Organ and Trumpet accompaniment

Other music:

• Seven Christmas Fantasies for Piano with Violin
• Come and Rejoice! Seasonal Music for Trumpet and Organ
• Raney, Joel. Christmas Fantasy for Organ & Brass

Laura de Jong,
Hymnary.org

FlexScores are available in the Media section below.