In Dulci Jubilo

Christmas Carols Explained, #8

”In Dulci Jubilo” means “In Sweet Joy” in Latin, or more likely “In Sweet Rejoicing.” Originally composed by a German named Heinrich Seuse in the 1320s, it’s based on an angelic vision that Seuse claimed to receive, which sent him into a spell of joy.

The lyrics are a mix of Latin and German, which Grok says was common at the time. This form of singing is called “macaronic,” when multiple languages are mixed. You’ll see the same thing in “Angels We Have Heard On High” when you get to the “In Excelsis Deo” part.

It’s undergone translations throughout the years, finally landing in English in 1853 thanks to a guy named John Mason Neale, who apparently changed the meaning of various parts of the song, but hey, what do you expect after 700 years…

Anyway, since the point of the lyrics is the story of Christ’s birth, this makes it a very fitting carol.