Hymn Lyrics

PLEASE NOTE: Not all verses may be sung and words may vary in the particular hymn presentation.

A Child Is Born in Bethlehem
Words: 14th Century Latin Hymn
Music: Puer natus in Bethlehem | Samuel Scheidt
There are various translations of this Christmas Carol:


Version One:

1. A Child is born in Bethlehem;
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Exult for joy, Jerusalem,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

2.. Our feeble flesh and His the same,
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Our sinless Kinsman He became,
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Emmanuel;
Our sinless Kinsman He became,
Alleluia. Alleluia.

3. That we, from deadly thrall set free,
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Like Him, and so like God, should be.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Emmanuel;
That we, from deadly thrall set free,
Alleluia. Alleluia.

4. Come then, and on this natal day,
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Rejoice before the Lord and pray.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Emmanuel;
Rejoice before the Lord and pray.
Alleluia. Alleluia.


Version Two:

1. A Child is Born in Bethlehem,
in Bethlehem;
And joy is in Jerusalem,
Allelujah! Allelujah!

2. A lowly maiden all alone,
So all alone,
Gave birth to God’s own Holy Son.
Allelujah! Allelujah!

3. She chose a manger for His bed,
For Jesus’ bed.
God’s angels sang for joy o’erhead,
Allelujah! Allelujah!

4. Give thanks and praise eternally,
Eternally,
To God, the Holy Trinity.
Allelujah! Allelujah!


Version Three:

1. A Child is born in Bethlehem;
Exult for joy, Jerusalem! Alleluia.

2. Lo, He who reigns above the skies
There, in a manger lowly, lies. Alleluia.

3. The ox and ass in neighbouring stall
See in that Child the Lord of all. Alleluia.

4. And kingly pilgrims, long foretold,
From East bring incense, myrrh, and gold, Alleluia.

5. And enter with their offerings,
To hail the new-born King of Kings. Alleluia.

6. He comes, a maiden mother’s Son,
Yet earthly father hath He none; Alleluia.

7. And, from the serpent’s poison free,
He owned our blood and pedigree. Alleluia.

8. Our feeble flesh and His the same,
Our sinless kinsman He became, Alleluia.

9. That we, from deadly thrall set free,
Like Him, and so like God, should be. Alleluia.

10. Come then, and on this natal day,
Rejoice before the Lord and pray. Alleluia.

11. And to the Holy One in Three
Give praise and thanks eternally. Alleluia.


Version Four:

1. The Child is born in Bethlehem, Alleluia.
Rejoice and sing, Jerusalem! Alleluia.

2. Low in the manger lieth He, Alleluia.
Whose reign no bound or end can see. Alleluia.

3. The ox and as their Owner know, Alleluia.
And own their Lord thus stooping low. Alleluia.

4. Kings coming from the furthest East, Alleluia.
Bring old, frankincense, myrrh to Christ. Alleluia.

5. That lowly dwelling entering, Alleluia.
They humbly greet the new-born King. Alleluia.

6. Born of a virgin mother mild, Alleluia.
Seed of the woman, wondrous Child. Alleluia.

7. Born of our blood, without the sin, Alleluia.
No serpent’s venom left therein. Alleluia.

8. Like us, in flesh of human frame, Alleluia.
Unlike in sin alone, He came: Alleluia.

9. That He might make us, sinful men, Alleluia.
Like God, and like Himself again. Alleluia.

10. In this, our Christmas happiness, Alleluia.
The Lord with festive hymns we bless. Alleluia.

11. The Holy Trinity be praised, Alleluia.
To God our ceaseless thanks be raised. Alleluia.