Music files
- (Posted 2020-01-24) CPDL #56746:
- Editor: Henk Vogel (submitted 2020-01-24). Score information: A4, 2 pages Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Descant with Wesley's Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go (or in Dutch: 'Het licht dat weer opnieuw begon') with organ accompaniment.
- (Posted 2009-12-22) CPDL #20635:
- Editor: Thomas Gebhardt (submitted 2009-12-22). Score information: A4, 1 page, 45 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes: German singing translation "Es sangen Gottes Engel" by Thomas Gebhardt
General Information
Title: Thus Angels sung (Song 34)
Composer: Orlando Gibbons
Lyricist: George Wither
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Carol, Hymn
Meter: 88. 88 (L.M.)
Languages: German, Dutch
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1623 in The Hymnes and Songs of the Church (George Wither), no. 34
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
 German text
1. Es sangen Gottes Engel all
ein Lied dem Kinde in dem Stall,
das für uns Menschen kommen ist,
es ist der Herre Jesus Christ.
2. Als Jesus kam, uns zu befrei'n,
da stimmten in das Loblied ein
die Hirten vor der Krippe arm,
hielten das kleine Kindlein warm.
3. Wie Gottes Engel sing'n auch wir:
"Ehre sei Gott auf Erden hier!"
Friede den Menschen seiner Gnad
er in dem Kind gegeben hat.
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 English translation
Thus angels sung, and thus sing we;
to God on high all glory be:
let Him on Earth His Peace bestowe,
and unto men His favour show.
If angels sung at Jesus' birth
Then we have greater cause for mirth,
For it was all for our poor sake
He did our human nature take.
Dear Christ, thou didst thyself abase
Thus to descend to human race
And leave thy Father's throne above:
Lord, what could move thee to such love?
Man, that was made out of the dust,
He found a paradise at first:
But see! the God of heaven and earth,
Laid in a manger at his birth.
Surely the manger where he lies
Doth figure forth his sacrifice;
And, by his birth, may all men see
A pattern of humility.
Stupendous Babe, my God and King!
Thy praises will I ever sing,
In joyful accents raise my voice,
And in the praise of God rejoice.
My soul, learn by thy Saviour's birth
For to abase thyself on earth,
That I may bee exalted high
To live with him eternally.
With angels therefore sing again,
to God on high all glory be;
for Peace on Earth bestoweth He;
and showeth favour unto men.
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