How Great Our Joy

This page includes a lyric video, a brief history, and other resources for the Christmas carol “How Great Our Joy.” Enjoy!

Enjoy this You Tube video with lyrics of “How Great Our Joy”:

History of “How Great Our Joy”:

The origin of the text for “How Great Our Joy” is not known, but according to The New Oxford Book of Carols, it may date back to as early as 1500 AD in Germany. In 1623. the tune was modernized and given an echo setting (where one group or individual repeats the lines of another). There is speculation that the song may have been designed for a Christmas play in which the shepherds’ lines were followed by an off-stage echo.

The first two stanzas of the song were translated by American born Theodore Baker (1851-1934) who studied music in Germany, and the tune is based on an arrangement by Hugo Jüngst (1853-1923). In the US, we generally only sing between 2 and 4 of the original 9 stanzas. Here is a free translation of all 9 stanzas from The New Oxford Book of Carols; it is lovely poetry:

While by my sheep, I watched at night
Glad tiding brought an angel bright

“For you,” he said, “this blessed morn
In Bethlehem a child is born.”

“Go where he lies within a stall
The infant Redeemer of us all.”

There in the stall he sleeping lay;
There by his side I longed to stay.

Sweetly he gazed into my face:
I in his hands my heart did place

Gently I kissed his tiny feet,
Which to my lips were honey-sweet.

Then to my home I made my way:
Yet still that Child with me did stay

Within my arms that Child did rest:
Oh! how my heart with love was blest.

Close shall I guard this darling Boy,
Thus shall my heart be filled with joy.

For more intriguing history on 20 other classic Christmas songs, you can purchase our Christmas Songs eBook (only $2.99; use code “celebrate20” for 20% off).

For additional resources (like original sheet music), visit Hymns and Carols of Christmas or Net Hymnal.

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