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Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

 
German Literature Companion: 'Es ist ein Ros'; entsprungen'
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‘Es ist ein Ros'; entsprungen’, first line of an ancient hymn, originally celebrating the Virgin Mary and later used as a Christmas hymn. Its well-known four-part setting is by Michael Prätorius. It was first printed in 1599; its alternative form, ‘Es ist ein Reis entsprungen’, is first recorded in 1658.

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Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, most commonly translated to English as Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, is a Christmas carol of German origin. The text is thought to be penned by an anonymous author, and the piece first appeared in print in the late-16th century. The hymn has been used by both Catholics and Protestants, with the focus of the song being Mary or Jesus, respectively.[citation needed] In addition, there have been numerous versions of the hymn, with varying texts and lengths.

The tune most familiar today appears in the Speyer Hymnal (printed in Cologne in 1599), and the familiar harmonization was written by German composer Michael Praetorius in 1609. The tune was used by Johannes Brahms as the basis for a chorale fantasy for organ, later transcribed for orchestra by Erich Leinsdorf, and by Hugo Distler as the basis for his 1933 oratorio Weihnachtsgeschichte ("Christmas story").

The popular English translation "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" was written by Theodore Baker in 1894.

Another Christmas hymn "A Great and Mighty Wonder" is set to the same tune as this carol and may sometimes be confused with it; it is, however, a hymn by St. Germanus, 734 (Μέγα χαί παράδοξον θαυμα), trans­lat­ed from Greek to Eng­lish by John M. Neale, 1862.

Contents

Lyrics

German original Literal translation of the German Baker's English version
1. Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen,

aus einer Wurzel zart.
Wie uns die Alten sungen,
von Jesse war die Art.
Und hat ein Blüm'lein 'bracht;
mitten im kalten Winter,
wohl zu der halben Nacht.

 1. A rose has sprung up,

from a tender root.
As the old ones sang to us,
Its lineage was from Jesse.
And it has brought forth a floweret
In the middle of the cold winter
Right upon midnight.

 1. Lo, how a rose e'er blooming,

From tender stem hath sprung.
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
As men of old have sung;
It came, a flow'ret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When halfspent was the night.
2. Das Röslein, das ich meine,

davon Jesaia sagt:
Maria ist's, die Reine,
die uns das Blüm'lein bracht'.
Aus Gottes ew'gem Rat,
Hat sie ein Kindlein g'boren,
Bleibend ein reine Magd.

 2. The rosebud that I mean,

Of which Isaiah told
Is Mary, the pure,
Who brought us the floweret.
At God’s immortal word,
She has borne a child
Remaining a pure maid.

 2. Isaiah 'twas foretold it,

The Rose I have in mind,
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind;
To show God's love aright,
She bore to men a Savior,
When halfspent was the night.
3. Das Blümelein, so kleine,

das duftet uns so süß;
mit seinem hellen Scheine
vertreibt's die Finsternis.
Wahr'r Mensch und wahrer Gott!
Hilft uns aus allem Leide,
rettet von Sünd' und Tod.

 3. The floweret, so small

That smells so sweet to us
With its clear light
Dispels the darkness.
True man and true God!
He helps us from all trouble,
Saves us from sin and death.

 3. O Flower, whose fragrance tender

With sweetness fills the air,
Dispel with glorious splendour
The darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From Sin and death now save us,
And share our every load.

Media File

Cover versions

In film

  • In the opening scene of the film The Time Traveler's Wife, the protagonist, Henry DeTamble, as a six-year old child, is travelling in a car with his mother, an opera singer, who sings to him "Es ist ein Ros". The song is also released with the official soundtrack.

External links


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German Literature Companion. The Oxford Companion to German Literature. Copyright © 1976, 1986, 1997, 2005 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen".  Read more