Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: NLGB 13; GH 21; EKG 16; EG 24; Alive 24; Feiern & Loben 200; Gemeindelieder 180; Jesus unsere Freude! 77; Singt zu Gottes Ehre 60; Unser Liederbuch 203
Author: Martin Luther (1534; published 1535)
Chorale Melody: Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her (Zahn 346) | Composer: Martin Luther (1539), based on a secular song
Event: Christmas

Description:

"Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her" ("From Heaven Above to Earth I Come") is a hymn text relating to the Nativity of Jesus, written by Martin Luther in 1534. The hymn is most often sung to a melody that first appeared in 1539 and that was likely composed by M. Luther as well. That version became a classic Christmas carol, and many composers referred to it in their compositions.
In an account not confirmed by contemporary sources M. Luther would have written "Vom Himmel hoch" in 1534 for the Christmas celebration in family circle. It is not certain but likely that M. Luther thought of a scenic representation. The text of the hymn was first published in 1535, the melody most commonly associated with it in 1539.
"Vom Himmel hoch" was first published as a hymn with 15 stanzas of four lines in the "Wittenberg hymnal" of 1535, under the header "Ein kinderlied auff die Weinacht Christi" ("A children's song on the Nativity of Christ"). In that publication, the text was coupled to the melody of the then well-known secular song "Ich kumm aus frembden Landen her." It was M. Luther's only contrafactum, reusing a tune of a secular composition for a religious text.
In 1539, the hymn was published with a new melody that was probably composed by M. Luther himself, in Geistliche lieder / auffs new gebessert vnd gemehrt /zu Witteberg. D. Marti. Luther. Viel Geistliche gesenge / von andern frommen Christen gemacht. Gedruckt zu Leyptzick durch Valten Schumann (Spiritual Songs / newly improved and extended / … made by other pious Christians …). This is the melody generally associated with the text:.
The song is an interpretation of Luke 2:8-18, a part of the Christmas story. The first five stanzas echo the annunciation addressed to the shepherds. The following stanzas are an invitation to follow the shepherds to the manger and celebrate the newborn baby. The last stanza is a short doxology and mentions the new year, as a new, peaceful time.
Another early publication containing the 1539 version of M. Luther's hymn is Lotther's Magdeburg Gesangbuch of 1540. The 1539 melody was used in various compositions, in vocal compositions often coupled to (parts of) M. Luther's hymn text. "Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her" became one of Germany's most popular Christmas carols.
In the 1560's the hymn spread to the Netherlands and the British Isles. "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come," the version best known in English, was published by Catherine Winkworth in 1855. The Swedish-language version ("Av himlens höjd oss kommet är") became one of the most commonly sung Lutheran hymns in Sweden and Finland, appearing in films there.
Not all settings of M. Luther's hymn text after his publication of the 1539 melody refer to that melody: for instance Sethus Calvisius' early 17th century motet Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her for SSATTB choir borrows some motifs from the "Ich kumm aus frembden Landen her" melody, but does not contain the 1539 tune. The Scottish translation contained in the 16th century Gude and Godlie Ballatis was indicated to be sung on the tune of a lullaby ("Balulalow").
Source: Wikipedia (October 22, 2018)

J.S. Bach set the first stanza of "Vom Himmel hoch" as one of four laudes added to the Christmas 1723 version of his Magnificat. He also used the melody three times in his Christmas Oratorio (1734). The chorale Ach, mein herzliebes Jesulein, which uses stanza 13 of M. Luther's hymn, closes Part I of the oratorio. J.S. Bach wrote chorale preludes based on "Vom Himmel hoch", notably BWV 606 in his Orgelbüchlein, 700, 701, 738 and 738a. In 1747 he used the chorale theme for his Canonic Variations on "Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her" (BWV 769).

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (Mvt. 2a) from Magnificat in E flat major BWV 243a (1723) (verse 1)

Chorale Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein (Mvt. 9 (9)) from Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248/1 (1734) (verse 13)

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her,
Ich bring euch gute neue Mär;
Der guten Mär bring ich so viel,
Davon ich singn und sagen will.

1. From heaven above to earth I come
To hear good news to ev'ry home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereov I now will say and sing:

2. Euch ist ein Kindlein heut geborn
Von einer Jungfrau auserkorn,
Ein Kindelein so zart und fein,
Das soll eu'r Freud und Wonne sein.

2. To you this night in born a child
of Mary, chosen mother mild;
This little child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all your earth.

3. Es ist der Herr Christ, unser Gott,
Der will euch führn aus aller Not,
Er will eu'r Heiland selber sein,
Von allen Sünden machen rein.

3. 'Tis Christ, our God, who far on high
Hath heard your sad and bitter cry
Himself will your Salvation be,
Himself from sin will make you free.

4. Er bringt euch alle Seligkeit,
Die Gott der Vater hat bereit',
Daß ihr mit uns im Himmelreich
Sollt leben nun und ewiglich.

4. He brings those blessings, long ago
Prepared by God for all below;
Henceforth His kingdom open stands
To you, as to the angel bands.

5. So merket nun das Zeichen recht:
Die Krippe, Windelein so schlecht,
Da findet ihr das Kind gelegt,
Das alle Welt erhält und trägt.

5. There are the tokens ye shall mark,
The swaddling clothes and manger dark;
There shall ye find the young child laid,
By whom the heavens and earth were made.

6. Des laßt uns alle fröhlich sein
Und mit den Hirten gehn hinein,
Zu sehn, was Gott uns hat beschert,
Mit seinem lieben Sohn verehrt.

6. Now let us all with gladsome cheer
Follow the shepherds, and draw near
To see this wondrous gift of God,
Who hath His only Son bestow'd.

7. Merk auf, mein Herz, und sieh dorthin;
Was liegt doch in dem Krippelein?
Wes ist das schöne Kindelein?
Es ist das liebe Jesulein.

7. Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
Who is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this child, so young and fair?
The blessed Christ-child lieth there.

8. Sei mir willkommen, edler Gast!
Den Sünder nicht verschmähet hast
Und kommst ins Elend her zu mir:
Wie soll ich immer danken dir?

8. Welcome to earth, Thou noble guest,
Through whom e'en wicked men are blest!
Thou com'st to share our misery,
What can we render, Lord, to Thee!

9. Ach Herr, du Schöpfer aller Ding,
Wie bist du worden so gering,
Daß du da liegst auf dürrem Gras,
Davon ein Rind und Esel aß!

9. Ah Lord, who hast created all,
How hast Thou made Thee weak and small,
That Thou must choose Thy infant bed
Where ass and ox but lately fed!

10. Und wär die Welt vielmal so weit,
Von Edelstein und Gold bereit',
So wär sie doch dir viel zu klein,
Zu sein ein enges Wiegelein.

10. Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.

11. Der Sammet und die Seide dein,
Das ist grob Heu und Windelein,
Darauf du König groß und reich
Herprangst, als wär’s deiHimmelreich.

11. For velvets soft and silken stuff
Thou hast but hay and straw so rough,
Whereon Thou King, so rich and great,
As 'twere Thy heaven, art throned in state.

12. Das hat also gefallen dir,
Die Wahrheit anzuzeigen mir:
Wie aller Welt Macht, Ehr und Gut
Vor dir nichts gilt, nichts hilft noch tut.

12. Thus hath it pleased Thee to make plain
The truth to us poor fools and vain,
That this world's honour, wealth, and might
Are nought and worthless in Thy fight.

13. Ach, mein herzliebes Jesulein,
Mach dir ein rein, sanft Bettelein,
Zu ruhen in meins Herzens Schrein,
Daß ich nimmer vergesse dein.

13. Ah! dearest Jesus, Holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

14. Davon ich allzeit fröhlich sei,
Zu springen, singen immer frei
Das rechte Susaninne schon,
Mit Herzenslust den süßen Ton.

14. My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep;
I too must raise with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle-song--

15. Lob, Ehr sei Gott im höchsten Thron,
Der uns schenkt seinen ein’gen Sohn.
Des freuen sich der Engel Schar
|Und singen uns solch neues Jahr.

15. Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad New Year to all the earth.

Source of German Text: Hymnary.org (verses 1-6, 15.) | Die Christliche Liederdatenbank (verses 1-15) | Monarchieliga (1-15 + preceding verse)
English Translation: Catherine Winkworth (1863) | Source of English Translation: Catherine Winkworth: Chorale Book for England (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts and Green, 1865), No. 30, on Hymnary.org | Wikipedia
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018)