• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
    • “Let the Choir Have a Voice” (Essay)
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Sixteen (16) Christmas Carols … In Latin!

Corpus Christi Watershed · December 20, 2014

On a Franciscan website, we found this clever PDF wherein Fr. Valentine Young has set common Christmas songs in Latin. A friend of CCW volunteered to type them out. Please let us know if you find any typos!

In addition to the below, from Father Valentine, you can also download Latin Christmas Carols.

I. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

1. Laetus Sanctus Nicholaus
Aurem tende huc.
Ne dicas ulli vivo
Quid dicturus sim.
Vigilia proxima
Nunc care senex,
Me dicas quid mi feras,
Mi dic si potes.

2. Media nocte facta
Somno sopitus,
Per compluvium atrum
Rebus paratis,
Tibialia cuncta
Iam in ordine,
Meum erit minimum
Sine dubio.

II. Up On The House Top

1. In summa domi cervi stant,
Ecce Bonus Nicholaus
et per compluvium cum nugis
Pro pueris et puellis.

Chorus:
Sit, sit, sit, Quis non it?
Sit, sit, sit, quis non it?
In summa domi crepitus
Per compluvium venit Sanctus.

2. Primum tibiale parvulae,
Care Sancte, id comple.
Pupam ridentem et dolentem
Da oculos et habentem.

3. Et tunc tibiale parvulo,
Quam multum iam videto.
Malleus necnon clavus tenax
Sphaera et flagellum minax.

III. O Christmas Tree

1. Ecce arbor huius noctis
Folia numquam mutant
Viridia in aestate,
Et etiam in hieme.

2. Necnon aestatis tempore
Rami lati et virides,
Sed etiam floret nive
Cum terra alba hieme.

3. Narrat nobis de custode
Et angelorum carmine,
De Infante in praesepe
Est legendum mirabile.

IV. What Child Is This?

Qualis puer qui in Mariae
gremio nunc dormit?
Quem angeli nunc salutant
dum pastores vigilant.

Ille est Christus Rex quem
Pastores et Angeli currunt ad
laudandum Filium de Maria.

V. O Come, All Ye Faithful

1. Adeste, fideles, laeti triumphantes
Venite, venite in Bethlehem.
Natum videte Regem Angelorum,

Chorus:
Venite, adoremus; venite, adoremus;
Venite, adoremus Dominum.

2. En grege relicto, humiles ad cunas
Vocati pastores approperant.
Nosque ovanti gradu festinemus.

3. Aeterni Parentis Splendorem aeternum
Velatum sub carne videbimus:
Deum Infantem, pannis involutum.

VI. White Christmas

Diem Christi album somnio
Persimilem praeteritis.
Ub(i) arbores nitent
Natique ardent
Nolis trahae niveis.
Diem Christi album somnio
Ut in omni charta scribo
“Dies sint festivi tibi,
Et festa nivalia Christi.’’

VII. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Adsunt Ruens et Saltans
Exsultans et Rixans,
Comans, Cupidus,
Tonans, Fulguransque,
Sed quid de illo praeclaro
omnium cervo?
Rudolphus, cervus nasum
rubicundum habebat
Quem si videre possis,
elucere referas.
Ludificare cervi,
deridentes solebant,
Neque sinebant eum
comminus colludere.
Ecce dixit Nicholaus
pridie Festum:
“O Rudolphe, nocte hac,
visne traham ducere?’’
Quam tunc iucundus fuit,
cervis iubilantibus.
“Rudolphe,” tunc dicebant:
“Notus eris posteris.”

VIII. Silent Night

1. Silens nox, sancta nox,
Placida, lucida.
Virginem et Puerum
Dulcem atque tenerum
//Somno opprime.//

2. Silens nox, sancta nox,
Angeli nitidi
”Alleluia” concinunt.
Nunc pastores metuunt.
//Christus natus est.//

3. Silens nox, sancta nox,
Candida, splendida.
Fili Dei facies
Nobis praebet novas spes;
//Christus natus est.//

IX. O Little Town of Bethlehem

1. O parve vice Bethlehem,
Quam tacitus iaces!
Super somnum stellae tuum
Volvuntur silentes.
Sed noctis in tenebris
Aeterna Lux splendet.
Iam temporum spes omnium
Curae in te manent.

2. Nam Christus ex Maria
Natus, et in caelo
Sunt congressi cum Angeli
Amore cum pio.
O stellae matutinae
Cantate caelitus!
Deo sint laudes insignes
Et pax hominibus.

X. Jingle Bells

1. Nives, glacies, nox pueritia!
Risus decet, nunc decent carmina!
Laetos iuvat nos ire per agros.
traha fert velociter, et cachinemus nos.

Chorus:
//Tinniant, tinniant, tintinnabula.
Ludus est equo trahi in curru aperto.//

2. Me nuper miserum temptavit lunae lux.
Assidebat mihi puella facta dux!
Vecti subito in nivis cumulos.
Caballus est perterritus et tunc eversi nos.

3. Solum scintillat, nive candidum.
Repetatur nunc concentus carminum:
Canities absit morosa omnibus!
Puellulas cum pueris delectat hic cursus.

XI. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

1. En canentes Angeli,
“Gloria Regi, Infanti;
Pax in terra. et Deus
concors cum mortalibus.”
Laeti, omnes populi
Cum caelestibus iuncti,
Praedicate “Nunc Christus
Est in Bethlehem natus.”

Chorus:
En canentes Angeli,
“Gloria Regi Infanti.’’

2. Adoratus caelitus,
Christus, semper Dominus.
Serius advenit spe
Genitus a Virgine.
Carne tamquam obsitus,
Homo ex Deo factus,
Volens ut par sit honos,
Commoratur inter nos.

XII. Good King Wenceslaus

1. Sanctus Wenceslaus rex
Stephani ad festum.
Agrum vidit nivibus
Gelidis congestum.
Vidit pauperem sibi
Ligna colligentem.
Qui sub luna splendida
Sensit se frigentem.

2. “Affer carnem, vinum fer,
Lignum afferamus,
Ut nos illi pauperi
Cenam praebeamus.”
Rex et puer prodibant
Animo aequali,
Vento flante acriter
Tempore brumali.

XIII. Deck The Halls

Aquafolia ornatis,
Fa la la, etc.
Tempus hoc hilaritatis
Fa la, la, etc.
Vestes claras induamus
Fa, la, la, etc.
Cantilenas nunc promamus.
Fa, la, la, etc.

XIV. Joy To The World

Laetissimus accipiat
Iam mundus Dominum.
Dum omnia in corda nos
//accipimus Illum.//

XV. God Rest You Merry Gentlemen

Salvete, laeti comites,
Nihil vos terreat.
Nam Jesus Christus natus est
Ut omnes redimat,
Et in Satanae semitas
Errantes reducat.
O nuntium gratissimum,
gratissimum.
O nuntium gratissimum.

XVI. We Three Kings Of Orient

Orientis reges tres,
Procul dona portantes
Per campos et montes imus
Post stellam sequentes.

Chorus:
O, Stella potens et mira,
Stella regalis pulchra,
Semper movens ad occasum
Due nos ad claram lucem.

Melchior:
Infans nate Bethlehem,
Portamus hanc coronam,
Rex aeterne, sempiterne,
Domine terrarum!

Casper:
Dis Sabaeum Tibi fero,
Tus dignum magno Deo;
Te laudantes et orantes
Colimus in Caelo.

Balthasar:
Myrrham fero amaram,
Circum te fumat caligo,
te languentem et gementem
condit(um) in tumulo.

Reges:
Clarus surgit, O specta!
Deus, Rex, et Victima.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Canunt caelum terra.

BONUS:

Procul in Praesaepi (“Away in a Manger”)

1. Procul in praesaepi et sine lecto,/ en, parvulus Iesus dormit in faeno
stellaeque micantes despectant eum/ tranquillo in somno, nostrum Domino

2. Dum mugiunt boves, expergiscitur;/ nec tamen ex illo auditur murmur.
Amo te, mi Iesu! De caelo specta/ et usque ad lucem, precor, mi adsta.

3. Es, Domine, mecum, te rogo; mane/ me iuxta aeterno, et dilige me.
Pueruli omnes in cura tua/ fac uti fruantur aeterna vita.

BONUS:

Angels we have heard on high

Lapsi caelo super gentes,
properate, angeli,
nuntiate nunc gaudentes
natum nostri Domini.
Adorate, adorate, adorate Dominum.

Lapsi caelo super nos,
properate, angeli,
Nobis nuntiate vos
natum nostri Domini!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Cur pastores iubilant?
Unde haec tot carmina
Dum per noctem vigilant?
Unde illa lumina?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

“Ite visum, populi,
Novum regem hominum!
Adorate, populi,
adorate Dominum!”
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Latin Christmas Carols Last Updated: September 29, 2025

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Reminder” — Month of April (2026)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)
    Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simply click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”
    The Introit for “Quasi Modo Sunday” (12 April 2026) is particularly beautiful. The musical score can be downloaded as a PDF file, and so can the organ accompaniment. The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue). Vatican II said Gregorian Chant must be given “first place” under normal circumstances. As a result, some parishes will rightly sing the authentic version. On the other hand, because so many USA dioceses disobey the mandate of Vatican II, some musicians sing plainsong in the vernacular. I have attempted to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ while singing the English version. Although very few take advantage of it, the complete Proprium Missae is posted at the flourishing feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    PDF Download • “Anima Christi”
    I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)
    On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The revision of the liturgical books must carefully attend to the provision of rubrics also for the people’s parts.”

— The Second Vatican Council (SC §31)

Recent Posts

  • 2026 Sacred Music Pilgrimage (Washington DC) • With Richard J. Clark
  • “Reminder” — Month of April (2026)
  • “Gregorian Chant Isn’t a Platform for Your Personal Theories, Jeff” • (A Letter We Received)
  • Request From Australia
  • PDF Download • “Anima Christi”

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2026 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.