Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

Good Christian Men, Rejoice

German carol; trans. John M. Neale

John Mason Neale (1818–1866) was an English scholar, priest, and poet of extraordinary dedication. Despite suffering from severe, chronic lung disease that kept him in constant physical discomfort and poverty, he mastered more than twenty languages. Under persecution from church authorities for his high-church views, he established the Sisterhood of St. Margaret, an order of nurses dedicated to caring for the poor and sick. Neale's life's passion was translating ancient and medieval Greek and Latin hymns into English, unlocking centuries of lost treasures (such as 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' and 'All Glory, Laud, and Honor') to bring the depth of historic Christian praise to modern worshippers.

Source: Carols for Christmastide

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
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 hath opened heaven's door
And man is blessed evermore
Christ was born for this
Christ was born for this
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