Behold, I bring you good tidings

General information

Anthem for Christmas. Source of text is from Luke 2:10b-12,14.

Settings by composers

Joseph Barnby SATB (vv. 10b-11,14, and variant 1) John Broderip SATB (vv. 10b - inserting glad,11 - omitting in the city of David,12,14) Orlando Gibbons SSAATB (vv. 10b - inserting glad, variant 3,14 - inserting in) John Goss SATB (vv. 10b-11) Maurice Greene SS or SATB (vv. 10b - inserting glad,11 - omitting in the city of David,14)

Edward Vine Hall SATB, with S solo (vv. 10b-11) Henry Purcell (ATB)SATB (vv. 10b - inserting glad,11 - omitting in the city of David,14, with Hallelujahs) Caleb Simper SATB (vv. 10b - inserting glad and you and, variant 2 and 14) Thomas Tomkins AATTTTBBBB (vv. 10b - inserting glad,11,14,))

Text and translations

English text

10b  Behold, I bring you good[glad] tidings of great joy, which shall be to [you and] all people.
11  For unto you is born this day [in the city of David] a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
14  Glory to God in the highest, and on[in] earth peace, goodwill toward men.

Variant 1
O Jesu, born of Virgin pure,
Immortal glory be to Thee,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost eternally.
Amen.

Variant 2
Unto you a Child is born, unto you a Son is given
And His name shall be called Jesus
For He shall save His people from their sins.

Variant 3
that unto us a child is born,
unto us a Son is giv’n, a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.