Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)

Subject: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Genie
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 03:47 AM

One of my favorite Christmas songs. Original lyrics in German but commonly sung in English as well. And one of the relatively rare cases where the translation is pretty true to the original.

Auf Deutsch

Es Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen Musik: Köln, 1599 Text: Unbekannt Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen Aus einer Wurzel zart, Wie uns die Alten sungen, Aus Jesse kam die Art Und hat ein Blümlein bracht, Mitten im kalten Winter, Wohl zu der halben Nacht. Das Röslein das ich meine, Davon Isaias sagt, Hat uns gebracht alleine Marie, die Reine magd. Aus Gottes ewigen Rat Hat sie ein Kind geboren Wohl zu der halben Nacht. Das Blümelein so kleine, Dass duftet uns so suss, Mit seinem hellen Scheine Vertreibt's die Finsternis. Wahr Mensch und wahrer Gott, Hilft uns mit allen Leiden, Rettet von Sünd und Tod.

ENGLISH Lo! How A Rose E'er Blooming! Music: Cologne, 1599 English (1894): Theodore Baker Lo, how a rose e'er blooming From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming, As those of old have sung. It came, a flow'ret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half-spent was the night. Isaiah 'was 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 us a Savior, When half-spent was the night. The blossom sweet and tender, Whose sweetness fills the air, Dispels with all its splendor The darkness of the night. True man yet truer God, From sin and death he saves us And lightens every load.

http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh216.sht MIDI

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 04:25 AM

Truly a beuatiful carol. The translation we customarily use (not available to me in work!) starts:
Lo! how a rose upspringing
From tender root has grown.
Known from the prophet's singing
Of Jesse's line the crown.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 11:43 AM

Genie: Thanks for posting. This is one of my favorite songs, too. It's so cold and pure. Whenever I play it, a picture forms in my mind of snow in a winter field, with little hollows around the stems of plants.

This is a beautiful song for the fretted dulcimer, which I happen to play.

I read somewhere that this was a Marian hymn which goes further back than 1599. It may have been medieval. The words were altered to make it more suitable for Protestants, for whom the Rose changed from Mary to Jesus. Michael Praetorius has been implicated :-) in that.

Whatever the details, it is a beautiful, beautiful melody, full of longing.

Subject: Lyr Add: ES IST EIN ROS ENTSPRUNGEN
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 03:22 PM

The first two verses (English) are in the DT, but not the German nor the 16 or more verses (only those posted by Genie are in general use).
The carol deserves a thread to itself, as posted here, not least because of its popularity, but because there are many versions which should be posted.

The melody is generally given as by Michael Praetorius, but he arranged an older melody in 1609. The text is 15th c., and 23 verses were seemingly published in Alte Catholische Geislische Kirchengesang in 1599.
The following 16-verse version is the well-known story, so hardly needs translation. The German may have minor errors, and has poetic usages*. There are alternate verses, in different sources. This version is from Hymns and Carols of Christmas, their German version. They provide some 12 English versions.

ES IST EIN ROS ENTSPRUNGEN

1
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen,
Aus einer Wurzel zart,
Wie uns die Alten sungen,
Von Jesse kam die Art,

Und hat ein Blümlein bracht
Mitten im kalten Winter
Wohl zu der halben Nacht.

2
Das Reislein, das ich meine,
So uns das Blumlein bringt,
Maria ists, die Reine,
Von der Jesalas singt;

Nach Gottes *ewgem Rath
Hat sie ein Kind geboren
Und bleibt doch reine Magd.

3
Das schreib uns ohne Mangel
Lucas mit truer Hand,
Wie Gabriel der Engel
Vom Himmel ward gesandt.

Zu einer Jungfrau rein,
Die Gott sich auser wahlte
Sie sollt ihm Mutter sein.

4
Der engel unverdrossen
Fuhr in der Juden Land
Gen Nazareth; verschlossen
Marien er da fand.

In inrem Kammerlein,
Er spracht sie an so freundlich:
'Gegrusst sei, Jungfrau rein,

5
'Du bist vol aller Gnaden,
der Herr will mit dir sein,
Hoch uber aller Frauen
Will er dich benedein.'

Die edle Jungfrau zart,
Von dieses Engels Grussen
Wie sie erschrocken ward!

6
'Du sollst dich nicht entsetzen,"
Sprach er, 'o Jungfrau schon!
Mein Wort lass dich ergetzen,
Ich komm aus Himmels Thron,

Bring frohe Botschaft dir.
Due hast bei Gott Genade
Gefunden, glaube mir.'

7
'Ein Kindlein wirst du tragen
In deinem keuschen Leib,
Davon die Schriften sagen,
Du uberselig Weib!

Sein Nam ist Jesus Christ:
Der Herr will ihm verleihen
Seinnes Vaters David Sitz.'

8
Da sprach die Jungfrau reine
Gar zuchtig mit Verstand:
'Wie soll mir das geshehen,
Die keinen Mann erkannt?'

Der Engel sprach zu ihr:
'Dieses Wunder wird verschaffen
Der heilige Geist an dir.
9
'Ws wird dich uberschatten
Des Allerhochsten Kraft
Und unverletzt bewahren
Deine reine Jungfrauschaft,

Den dieses Kindlein schon,
Das von dir wird geboren,
Ist Gottes *ewger Sohn.'

10
Da sprach mit Freud und Wonne
Die edle Jungfrau reinem
Als sie vernahm, sie solle
Des Herren Mutter sein,

Gar willig, unverzagt:
'Ich bin des Herren Dienerin,
Mir gescheh wie du gesagt.'

11
Aus heiligen Geistes Kraften
Maria bald empfieng
Den ewgen Himmelsfursten:
Schau an das Wunderding!

Neun Mond er bei ihr war;
Sie wurde Gottes Mutter,
Bleib Jungfrau immerdar.

12
Wohn zu denselben Zeiten
Der starke Furst und Heid
Augustus, Romscher Kaiser,
Beschrieb die ganze Welt,

Den Zins von Allem nahm,
Da Joseph mit Maria
Auch hin gen Bethlem kam.

13
Herbergen waren theuer,
Sich fand kein Aufenhalt
Als eine alte Scheuer;
Da war die Luft gar Kalt.

Wohl in derselben Nacht
Marie gebar den Fursten,
Der Frieden hat gebracht.

14
Lob, Ehr sei Gott dem Vater,
Dem Sohn und heiligen Geist;
Maria, Gottes Mutter,
Auch deine Hulfe leist

Under bitt dein Kindelein,
Das Gott durch seine Gute
Und gnadig will verzeihn.

15
Wir bitten dich von Herzen,
Du edle Konigin,
Bei deines Sohnes Schmerzen,
Wenn wir einst fahren hin

Aus diesem Jammerthal;
Du wollest uns geleiten
bis in der Engel Saal.

16
So singen wir all 'Amen!'
Das heisst: 'Nun werd' es wahr,
Das wir begehrn allsammen:'
O Jesu, hilf uns dar

In deines Vaters Reich!
Darin wolln wir dich loben:
O Gott, uns das vewrleih!

Es ist ein Ros

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Arkie
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 04:21 PM

Can be played beautifully on the fretted dulcimer. Something I discovered over 30 years ago using the DAD tuning, which I still call Mixolydian. June Tabor does a wonderful version.

Subject: Lyr Add: ES IST EIN' ROS'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 07:56 PM

Got my 'BBC Music" magazine for December. It has a list of 50 carols that are favorites of 50 choirmasters and musicians, more than 40 based in UK, 6 in North America, so not a good representation of American tastes.
"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" came in as no. 36. The note says "English-speaking congregations are generally familiar with it in the guise of "A Great and Mighty Wonder." Hmmm, don't think I ever heard it under that name.
In the older Oxford Book of Carols that I have, it is "Es ist ein Ros'."
The words of verses 2 and 3 differ from those given by Genie; Here is the text in the Oxford Book of Carols:

Lyr. Add: ES IST EIN' ROS' (Oxford Carols)

1
Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen
Aus einer Wurzel zart,
Als uns die Alten sungen:
Aus Jesse kam die Art;
Und hat ein Blümlein bracht,
Mitten im kalten Winter,
Wohl zu der halben Nacht.
2
Das Röslein, das ich meine,
Davon Jesaias sagt,
Ist Maria die reine,
Die uns dies Blümlein bracht;
Aus Gottes ew'gem Rat
Hat sie ein Kind geboren,
Ist blieb'n ein reine Magd.
3
Wir bitten dich von Herzen,
Maria, Rose zart,
Durch er empfunden hat,
Wollst uns behülfuch sein,
Dass wir ihm mögen machen
Ein' Wohnung hübsch und fein!

Music, German text only. A note says, "The fifteenth-century words and melody are in the Speierschen Gesangbuch, Cologne, 1600; the setting by Praetorius in Musae Sioniae, 1609.

Subject: Lyr Add: LO HOW A ROSE E'ER BLOOMING
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 08:33 PM

Lyr. Add: LO HOW A ROSE E'ER BLOOMING
Translation verses 1-2, Theodore Baker; 3-4,
Friedrich Layritz.

1
Lo, how a rose e'er blooming,
From tender stem has sprung!
From Jesse's lineage coming
As men of old have sung.

It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half spent was the night.

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 us a Savior
When half spent was the night

3
The shepherds heard the story
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory
Was born on earth this night.

The Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger they found him
As angel heralds said.

4
This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere;

True man, yet very God,
From Sin and death he saves us,
And lightens every load.

The Hymns and Carols of Christmas; Version I.
Lo How a Rose

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Genie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 12:24 AM

Shouldn't it be "Isaiah was foretold it ... " not "Isaiah 'twas foretold it ... "?

I've seen that verse posted online with "'twas" (though I've also seen it in print with just "was").
But "'twas" would be gramatically redundant: "Isaiah it was foretold it ... "

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 03:19 AM

Hi, Genie - the Oxford Book of Carols and other reputable sources have "Isaiah 'twas foretold it."

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 04:37 AM

Genie:
Shouldn't it be "Isaiah was foretold it ... " not "Isaiah 'twas foretold it ... "?

I've seen that verse posted online with "'twas" (though I've also seen it in print with just "was").
But "'twas" would be gramatically redundant: "Isaiah it was foretold it ... "

Different meanings:
"Isaiah was foretold it" = It was foretold to Isaiah
"Isaiah 'twas foretold it" = It was foretold by Isaiah.

Cheers
Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 04:46 AM

And the translation we use of that portion (again from memory)

Fair Rose in manger lowly
Isaiah told of yore
Our dear Redeemer holy
The Blessed Mary bore ...

Which seems to agree with "Isaiah 'twas foretold"

Cheers
Nigel

Subject: Lyr Add: ES IST EIN ROS' ENTSPRUNGEN
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 03:34 PM

A few minor corrections to Genie's original post (in italics):

Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen
Aus einer Wurzel zart,
Wie uns die Alten sungen,
Von Jesse kam die Art
Und hat ein Blümlein bracht,
Mitten im kalten Winter,
Wohl zu der halben Nacht.

Das Röslein das ich meine,
Davon Isaias sagt,
Hat uns gebracht alleine
Marie, die reine Magd.
Aus Gottes ew'gem Rat
Hat sie ein Kind geboren
Wohl zu der halben Nacht.

Das Blümelein so kleine,
Das duftet uns so süss,
Mit seinem hellen Scheine
Vertreibt's die Finsternis.
Wahr Mensch und wahrer Gott,
Hilft uns aus allem Leiden,
Rettet von Sünd und Tod.

Subject: Lyr Add: LO, HOW A ROSE E'ER BLOOMING (T Baker)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 04:59 PM

The "Oxford Book of Carols" has 'Aus Jesse kam de Art;' not 'von.' Why, I dunno.

In their text, 'Magd' is not added after reine in verse two;
Ist Maria die reine,
Die uns dies Blumlein bracht;

In German versions, Reine is used as a noun, thus capitalized; no 'Magd' in that line.

Hymnsite.com, linked by Genie as her source, lacks her verse 3 (English), and has only the statement that it is "subject to copyright," no author cited; perhaps it has been deleted. It was not by Baker. I could not find a German version there.

Four verses are given at www.familychristmasonline.com, "English lyrics by Theodore Baker, 1894." No reference cited, so I am unsure of their correctness.

LO, HOW A ROSE E'ER BLOOMING

1
Lo, how a rose e'er blooming,
From tender stem hath sprung!
From Jesse's lineage coming,
As men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright
Amid the cold of winter
When half spent was the night.
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 us a savior
When half spent was the night.
3
The shepherds heard the story
Proclaimed by angels bright
How Christ, the Lord of Glory
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger they found him,
As angels heralds said.
4
This flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From Sin and death he saves us,
And lightens every load.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Genie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:46 PM

Q, I think I added verse 3, both in German and in English, to the verses posted at http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh216.sht.   I have all three of those verses, as I posted them, from other sources. That's the way I've known this song for years, but I don't have at my fingertips the sheet music I got them from.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 10:18 PM

Genie's third verse in German is by Layriz, 1844. Suzanne has made the corrections; süss or süß and 'aus allem' in line 3. See the German carol site Weihnachstslieder

The English verse three seems to be a translation of Layritz verse 3, but much modified. Possibly by Gracia Grindal. Not located through google.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Padre
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:13 AM

In the Hymnal 1940 there are two hymnns using the familiar tune

# 17 is the version most people know, with words from the "Speierischen Gesangbuch" published in Cologne in 1599

#18 uses words from St. Germanus (Patriarch of Constantinople 634-734) which begins:
A great and mighty wonder Today on earth is done
Behold, a virgin mother brings forth God's only Son
Repeat the hymn again! "To God on high be glory,
And peace on earth to men.'

Padre

Subject: Lyr Add: LO HOW A ROSE UPSPRINGING (Theodore Baker
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 10:17 AM

To give the full (2 verse) version that I quoted partially above.

LO, HOW A ROSE UPSPRINGING
Melody C15th Tr. by Theodore Baker

Lo, how a Rose upspringing on tender root has grown;
Known from the prophets' singing of Jesse's line the crown.
While shone the Star so bright,
It came a flow'r of winter in stillness of midnight.

Fair Rose in manger lowly Isaiah told of yore.
Our dear Redeemer holy the Blessed Mary bore;
This gift from God above
To bring us men salvation, lay shelter'd in her love.

Taken from "O Come Emmanuel" An Advent devotion for Choir and Congregation. Published by the Royal School of Church Music 1963
NP

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: A Spotless Rose (Es ist ein Ros)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 08:38 PM

Lyr. add: A Spotless Rose
Es ist ein Ros,
Catherine Winkworth translation, 1869.

A spotless Rose is blowing
Sprung from a tender root,
Of ancient seers' foreshowing,
Of Jesse promised fruit;
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter
And in the dark midnight.

The Rose which I am singing,
Whereof Isaiah said,
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary, purest Maid;
For through our God's great love and might
The blessed babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winter's night.

There are many translations of Es ist ein Ros. Herbert Howells used the Winkworth translation in his composition, "Three Carol-Anthems."
I don't have the complete Winkworth translations, Lyra Germanica; she may have set more than two verses.

One of the compositions in the cd issued with "The BBC Music Magazine, vol. 18 no. 4;" Britten, "St. Nicholas," and Howells, Three Carol-Anthems." BBC Singers, Choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral, BBC Concert Orchestra.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ein' Ros' Entsprungen (Lo How A Rose)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 01:55 PM

My error- The words are a translation of the related carol, Es ist ein Reis entsprungen, 15th c. carol, usually sung to Es ist ein Ros, but sung to the music composed and arranged by Herbert Howells on the recording I mention above.

At "Hymns and Carols of Christmas," A spotless Rose is stated to have the words of Es ist ein Ros, but for the same lyrics under the title version 5 A spotless Rose is blowing, the words are said to be from Es ist ein Reis ..., and the carol is listed under Low, how a Rose E'er blooming (or alternate title The Rose of Sharon).