Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

With our first snow of the year now fading (or faded!), we edge ever closer to the Christmas season of 2023! This Twelve Days series will feature noëls from the French and Ukrainian traditions, interspersed with glorious contemporary choral works and a few popular favorites (and not so favorites) in performances that shine with the glow of the holiday. Enjoy!

Day 12 - Veni, Veni Emmanuel (O Come, O Come Emmanuel) is a centuries-old carol with a rich history. Its text dates back to at least the 8th century, and its alluring melody stands out as one of the oldest French Christmas melodies. Written by a priest with a deep understanding of the bible, the Latin verses portray the full story of the birth of the Messiah, originally intended to be sung over the course of seven days, one verse per day. A published latin version did not appear until 1710, and the English version that many know today (by John Mason Neale) was not published until 1861 in the hymnal, Hymns Ancient and Modern. 

1. Veni, veni Emmanuel / O come, O come, Emmanuel
Captivum solve Israel / And ransom captive Israel
Qui gemit in exilio / That mourns in lonely exile here
Privatus Dei Filio / Until the Son of God appear

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel / Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
nascetur pro te, Israel / Shall come to thee, O Israel

2. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save,

And give them victory o'er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

3. O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer,

Our Spirits by Thine Advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

4. O come, Thou Key of David, come

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

5. O come, O come, thou Lord of Might

Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,

In ancient times didst give the law,

In cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Here are a number of versions of this classic - out of the many, many that have been recorded. First, a Gregorian chant version posted by Verbum Gloriae

Veni, Veni Emmanuel (O Come, O Come Emmanuel) - Verbum Gloriae

And two contemporary arrangements . . .

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (arr. by Rugen) - Solis Camerata

O Come, O Come Emmanuel - The Gesualdo Six