The earliest printing of the song in English appeared in the "Compendious Buik of Godlie and Spiritual Songs," 1567, by John Wedderburn and his two brothers, James and Robert. It contained a number of Lutheran and anti-Catholic psalms. John Wedderburn penned these words before his death in 1556; all three brothers were dead by 1556. Parts were published in broadsides before editions of the book came out.

IN DULCI JUBILO
Words John Wedderburn

Now let us sing with mirth and joy,
Our heart's consolation
Lies in praesepio *(manger)
And shines as the sun,
Matris in gremio. (in his mother's lap)
Alpha is and O, Alpha is and O, (He is alpha and omega)
O Jesu parvule, (O infant Jesus)
I thirst sore after Thee,
Comfort my heart and mind.
I Puer optime! (Child most excellent)

God of all grace so kind,
Et Princeps Gloriae, (O Prince of glory)
Trabe me post Te, (Draw me after Thee)
Trabe me post Te.
Ubi sunt gaudia; (where are those joys)
In any place but there
Where that the angels sing,
Nova cantica, (new songs)
But and the bells ring,**
In Regis curia. (in the King's court)
God if I were there,
God if I were there!

*() English my addition, from Catherine Winkworth, 1869.
** as printed in "The Hymns and Carols of Christmas."
Source: Edith Rickert, "Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700,"
1914, Chatto & Windus, London, pp. 206-207.