I come from hevin [heich] to tell

Representative Text

1 I come from hevin [heich] to tell
the best nowells that e'er befell.
To you thir tythings trew I bring
and I will of them say and sing.
2 This day to you is born ane Child
of Marie meik and Virgin mild.
That blissit bairn bening and kind, bening and kind,
sall you rejoyce baith hart and mind.

3 Lat us rejoyis now and be blyth
and with the Hyrdis go full swyth
and see what Godis grace hes done
throu Christ to bring us to his throne.
4 My saull and life stand up and see
wha lyis in ane cribbe of tree.
What Babe is that, sa gude and fair? sa gude and fair?
It is Christ, Godis Son and Air.

5 The silk and sandell thee to eis
ar hay and sempill sweilling clais
wharin thou gloris greitest King
as thou in hev'n war in thy ring.
6 And war the warld ten times sa wide
cled ouer with gold and stanes of pride
unworthie yit it were to thee, yit it were to thee,
under they feet ane stule to be.

7 O my deir hart, yung Jesus sweit
prepair thy creddill in my spreit!
And I sall rock thee in my hart
and never mair fra thee depart.
8 Bot I sall praise thee evermoir
with sangis sweit unto thy gloir.
The kneis of my hart sall I bow, my hart sall I bow
and sing that rycht Balulalow.

Author: Martin Luther

Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody. i. Hymn Books. 1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >

Adapter: Kenneth Elliott

(no biographical information available about Kenneth Elliott.) Go to person page >

Translator: John Wedderburn

(no biographical information available about John Wedderburn.) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: I come from hevin [heich] to tell
Author: Martin Luther
Adapter: Kenneth Elliott
Translator: John Wedderburn
Meter: DLM
Source: The Gude and Godlie Ballatis, 1578
Publication Date: 2005
Copyright: This text may still be under copyright because it was published in 2005.

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 4 of 4)
Text

Church Hymnary (4th ed.) #297

Church Hymnary (4th ed.) #298

Text

Hymns of Glory, Songs of Praise #297

Hymns of Glory, Songs of Praise #298

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