I decided to try something different and compose a new Christmas carol, both music and lyrics.
Lyrics
The meter for this is interesting. It’s either 12, 8, 8, 8 or 6, 6, 8, 8, 8 depending on how you look at it. I’ll go with the former, since, that way, lines 1 and 4 rhyme, while lines 2 and 3 rhyme.
Exult all ye nations! Rejoice through all the earth!
For heaven’s light appears this day,
Your long, deep darkness casts away.
Behold in time the Savior’s birth!Exult all ye humble! For angel hosts say: Lo,
A Savior who is Christ the Lord,
Is born to you this day, the Word,
Gloria in excelsis Deo!Exult Queen of Heaven! Thou, God’s own mother fine,
For Christ comes to us through thee,
Generations blessed call thee,
Unite our love for him with thine!Exult dear Saint Joseph! Rejoice Saint Joachim!
From Jesse’s root Christ springeth forth,
Both David’s son and David’s Lord,
Our God with us calls us to him!Exult all ye martyrs, whose blood the Church doth seed!
Your master’s own course following,
The cross to Jesus calling,
For Christ is born his veins to bleed!Exult ye confessors! Thou, these glad tidings bring!
Proclaim his love that all may see,
And heav’n and earth shall bend the knee,
To Christ, the Lord, the King of Kings!Exult all ye virgins! Behold the just bridegroom!
Him whom the ancient prophets sought,
Whom heav’n and earth contained not,
Proceedeth from the Virgin’s womb!Exult all ye trumpets! And make the earth resound!
Proclaim his advent all ye horns,
Lest should cry out the very stones:
Adore him in the manger found!To Thee God almighty, the Blessed Trinity,
May all our praise and homage be,
To Father, Son, and Spirit, Three,
From now until eternity!Chorus:
Exult! Exult! Exult! Exult! Laetentur caeli et exsultet terra!
Note that I have not yet submitted these lyrics for approval to any ecclesiastical authority; so, while this may be used for caroling, the text is not yet approved for liturgical use. I do intend to submit the text, and I will update this post if and when approval is obtained.
The Music
Rendered with Violin/Cello
Rendered with Trumpet/Trombone
About the Featured Image
The featured image is Adoration of the Shepherds by Domenico Ghirlandaio. It is in the public domain in the United States.
3 thoughts on “Exult All Ye Nations”