Day 3 - Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild (Mine)
The text for this carol derives from Joseph, lieber Joseph mein, a verse from fourteenth or fifteenth century Germany. One of the earliest appearances of Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild was as a lullaby sung by the Virgin Mary in a Mystery Play that flourished around Leipzig, Germany, in the early 1500s. The borrowed tune used was originally sung to a Latin text full of joy, Resonet in Laudibus (Let Our Praises Resound), dating from as early as the 14th century. Before that time, carols and other religious songs were danced and sung to primitive tunes and graceless texts. But a new awareness of beauty in worship swept through Europe in the 1500s, thanks in part to the Reformation, and melodies took on an ingratiating texture, while beautiful and evocative texts issued from the pens of genius poets. (notes from William L. Simon, Reader’s Digest Merry Christmas Songbook, 1981)
"Joseph, Dearest Joseph mine,
Help me cradle the Child divine.
God reward thee and all that’s thine,
In paradise," so prays the mother Mary.
Chorus
He came among us at Christmas time
At Christmas time in Bethlehem
Men shall bring him from far and wide,
Love’s diadem - Jesus, Jesus;
Lo, he comes and loves and saves and frees us.
"Gladly dear one, Lady mine
Help I cradle this Child of thine."
"God’s own light on us both shall shine,
In paradise," as prays the mother Mary. Chorus
Peace to all that have goodwill!
God, who heaven and earth doth fill,
Comes to turn us away from ill,
And lies so still within the crib of Mary. Chorus
Resonet in laudibus - Aurora Camerata
Resonet in laudibus cum iucundis plausibus
Let praises ring out and joyful acclaim
Sion cum fidelibus: Apparuit quem genuit Maria.
To Zion's faithful the Child born of Mary has appeared.
Gaudete, gaudate, Christus Natur hodie!
Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born!
Gaudete, gaudate, ex Maria Virgine.
Rejoice, rejoice, from the Virgin Mary.
Pueri concinite, nato regi psallite,
Let us sing together to the child,
Let us sing to the newborn King
Voce pia dicite, Apparuit quem genuit Maria.
and with the pious ones say:
The Child born of Mary has appeared.
Gaudete, gaudate . . .
Sion lauda Dominum Saluatorem omnium,
O Zion, praise the Lord, the Savior of mankind,
Virgo parit Filium. Apparuit quem genuit Maria.
He who cleanses sin.
The Child born of Mary has appeared.
Gaudete, gaudate . . .
Sancta tibi Trinitas, Os omnium gratias
Give thanks to the holy trinity
Let our voices give thanks
Resonet altissimas. Apparuit quem genuit Maria.
And give the greatest praise.
The Child born of Mary has appeared.
Gaudete, gaudate . . .
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild - The Westminster Choir
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild - The Dale Warland Singers
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