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December 18

"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice" as I've presented it here, may be slightly different than the "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" you are used to. All changes are based on the Presbyterian Hymnal's presentation of the hymn. Most obviously, the title is changed from Men to Friends. Also, the News! News! two note phrase of the tune is removed. The hymn was translated and paraphrased by John Mason Neale from "In Dulci Jubilo"; he collaborted with Thomas Helmore, who transcribed the music. Helmore inadvertently added the two note phrase during this process. Many modern arrangements remove it to restore the flow of the music. This was quite a lot of fun to play on the banjo.

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Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

Words: Medieval Latin (attributed to Heinrich Suso); trans. and para. John Mason Neale, 1853; alt.
Music: IN DULCI JUBILO, German folk tune, 14th century.

Good Christian friends, 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!

Good Christian friends, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened the heaven's door, And we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Good Christian friends, 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!

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