The DANISH CHRISTMAS CAROL with translation
1. Deilig er jorden!
Prægtig er Guds Himmel!
Skøn er sjælens pilgrimgang!
Gennem de favre riger på jorden
Gå vi til Paradis med sang.
2. Tider skal komme,
Tider skal henrulle,
Slægt skal følge slægters gang;
Aldrig forstummer tonen fra Himlen
I sjælens glade pilgrimsang.
3. Englene sang den
Først for markens hyrder;
Skønt fra sjæl til sjæl det lød;
Fred over jorden!
Menneske, fryd dig,
Os er en evig frelser fød!
Bernard Severin Ingemann 1850
(Literal)
1. Lovely the earth,
Beautiful God’s heaven
Lovely the pilgrimage of the soul!
Through the lovely kingdoms on earth
As we walk toward Paradise with song.
2. Times will come
Times shall be rolled up
Generations following generations
But never will be silenced the tunes from Heaven
In the soul’s glad pilgrim song.
3. Angels sang it first for Shepherds in the fields
Soon from soul to soul it rang
Peace on the earth!
People, rejoice
Today is an eternal Savior born!
(Poetic rendition. Gracia Grindal--it is a very difficult form and I am not quite sure about this)
1. Fair are the meadows,
Fairer still God’s heavens!
As we journey beneath the skies
Through all earth’s kingdoms
Lovely and glorious,
Singing our way to Paradise!
2. Though time is passing
And will be ended,
All generations soon are gone.
Nothing will silence
All heaven’s anthem
In our soul’s glorious pilgrim’s song!
3. Once all the angels
Sang to the shepherds,
Sang to all one Christmas morn:
Peace to all people!
Sing every nation!
This day our Savior Christ is born!