Music of the Christmas Season - Fifth Post

Robert Shaw Chorale


O Come, O Come, Emmanuel carol was originally written in Latin text in the 12th Century. The author of the words and composer to the music is unknown. It is, however believed that the melody was of French origin and added to the text a hundred years later. The Latin was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851. www.carols.org.uk





1




O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.





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This song is sung across the nations by Christians who are waiting for Christmas day, the day we celebrate the Christ child's birth. For me this song exemplifies like no other the longing for the Christ child, and the need of the Saviour in our lives.







Linking to Ginger's and Charlotte's Spiritual Sundays. These two ladies provide a place on the net for spiritual writings, comments, videos and music.








picture credits:
1. www.gerrit-van-honthorst.org
2. christmaswallpapers.info





Music of the Christmas Season and Light Show - Fourth post
Music of the Christmas Season - Third post
Music of the Christmas Season - Second post
Music of the Christmas Season - First post