1. Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! 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: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this! He has opened heaven's door, And man is blessed evermore: 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: Peace! Peace! 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!
Lyrics: Latin carol, 14th century
Music: German melody, 14th century
Tune: IN DULCI JUBILO
Meter: Irregular meter
Latin carol, 14th century
Translation by John M. Neale, 1818–1866
“Good Christian Men, Rejoice” is an unusual combination of 14th century Latin phrases and vernacular German expressions. The original Latin text was titled “In Dulci Jubilo,” meaning “in sweet shouting.” Over the years German people added their own wording, making this a “macaronic carol”—one that combines two or more languages. The carol was later given a free rendering English translation by John M. Neale, the noted 19th century scholar and translator of ancient hymns. It first appeared in Neale’s Carols for Christmastide in 1853.