The original words of this hymn, “In Dulce Jubilo,” are commonly attributed to Heinrich Seuse (c1300-1366), a German mystic in the Dominican order. A student of Meister Eckhart, his meditation The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom became very widely read during the 14th and 15th centuries.

The original is written in what is sometimes called macaronic style, which means alternating phrases from two languages, in this case Latin and medieval German:

In dulci jubilo,
Nun singet und seid froh!
Unsers Herzens Wonne
Leit in praesepio;
Und leuchtet wie die Sonne
Matris in gremio.
Alpha es et O!

In sweet rejoicing,
now sing and be glad!
Our hearts’ joy
lies in the manger;
And it shines like the sun
in the mother’s lap.
You are the Alpha and the Omega!

John Mason Neale, usually a very precise translator, has in this case become paraphraser and secondary author, adding much of his own work to give us the words we ordinarily sing. “Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!”

1. Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice.
Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before him bow, And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

2. Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice.
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this.
He hath ope’d the heavenly door And man is blessed forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

3. Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice.
Now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save.
Calls you one and calls you all To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

This group is The Dominican Friars.