Church Hymnary (4th ed.) ‎#297

297. I come from hevin [heich] to tell

1 I come from hevin [heich] to tell
the best nowells that e'er befell.
To you thir tythings trew I bring
and I will of them say and sing.
2 This day to you is born ane Child
of Marie meik and Virgin mild.
That blissit bairn bening and kind, bening and kind,
sall you rejoyce baith hart and mind.

3 Lat us rejoyis now and be blyth
and with the Hyrdis go full swyth
and see what Godis grace hes done
throu Christ to bring us to his throne.
4 My saull and life stand up and see
wha lyis in ane cribbe of tree.
What Babe is that, sa gude and fair? sa gude and fair?
It is Christ, Godis Son and Air.

5 The silk and sandell thee to eis
ar hay and sempill sweilling clais
wharin thou gloris greitest King
as thou in hev'n war in thy ring.
6 And war the warld ten times sa wide
cled ouer with gold and stanes of pride
unworthie yit it were to thee, yit it were to thee,
under they feet ane stule to be.

7 O my deir hart, yung Jesus sweit
prepair thy creddill in my spreit!
And I sall rock thee in my hart
and never mair fra thee depart.
8 Bot I sall praise thee evermoir
with sangis sweit unto thy gloir.
The kneis of my hart sall I bow, all I bow
and sing that rycht Balulalow.

Text Information

• First Line: I come from hevin [heich] to tell
• Author: Martin Luther (1483-1546)
• Translator (attributed to): John Wedderburn (fl. 1540)
• Translator (attributed to): Robert Wedderburn (fl. 1540)
• Adapter: Kenneth Elliott (b. 1929)
• Meter: DLM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2005
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:1-16
• Topic: Life in Christ: Christ Incarnate - Christmas and Epiphany; Christ Incarnate: Christmas and Epiphany
• Source: The Gude and Godlie Ballatis, 1578

Tune Information

• Name: BALULALOW
• Adapter: Kenneth Elliott (b. 1929)
• Meter: DLM
• Key: F Major
• Source: Melody and bass from John Gamble's Commonplace-Book, c. 1660
• Copyright: © Kenneth Elliott