Coelos ascendit hodie, Alleluia

Here is my translation of the Ascension hymn/pia cantio, “Coelos ascendit hodie, Alleluia” (Anon., 15th c.) and its fairly close German rendering, “Gen Himmel aufgefahren ist” (asc. Melchior Franck) in ELGB #158/159, originally from Vulpius’ Gsb 1609, with melody by Melchior Franck. It was include in the Gotha Cantional, Niedling’s Handbüchlein, Freylinghausen 1704, etc. A partial translation by F. W. Herzberger made in 1912 was included in the Selah Song Book / Sela Gesangbuch 1924. The most widespread translation is J. M. Neale’s “Today Above the Sky He Soared,” which is full and good. However, following some of the Latin lines, I have given some consideration to beginning with an accentual pattern / - - / rather than pure iambs ( - / - /). I give the melody from Vopelius (for the Latin) and from the Gotha Cantional (for the German text), which are almost identical.

 

 

 

HEAV’Nward this day by high ascent
Alleluia!
Jesus the King of glory went
Alleluia!

2 Sitting on God the Father’s right
Alleluia!
Heaven and earth He rules with might.
Alleluia!

3 Now is fulfilled what was foretold
Alleluia!
By father David’s psalms of old.
Alleluia!

4 Now doth the Lord, our God alone:
Alleluia!
Sit with the Lord on heaven’s throne.
Alleluia!

5 Now on this mighty triumph sing:
Alleluia!
BLESS WE THE LORD, our heav’nly King.
Alleluia!

6 Praised be the Holy Trinity:
Alleluia!
THANKS BE TO GOD eternally!
Alleluia!

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

SELA GESANGBUCH 1924 (from the German):

1 In triumph He went heavenward
Hallelujah!
King of all glory, Christ our Lord.
Hallelujah!

2 He sitteth now at God’s right hand.
Hallelujah!
To rule over heaven, sea, and land.
Hallelujah!

3 Fulfilled is what was prophesied:
Hallelujah!
Of Christ the Redeemer crucified.
Hallelujah!

5 Now let all men with joy proclaim
Hallelujah!
The glorious might of His great name.
Hallelujah!

LATIN

1 Coelos ascendit hodie,
Hallelujah,
Jesus Christus Rex gloriae,
Hallelujah.

2 Sedet ad Patris dexteram,
Hallelujah,
Gubernans coelum et terram,
Hallelujah.

3 Jam finem habent omnia,
Hallelujah,
patris Davidis carmina,
Hallelujah.

4 Jam Dominus cum Domino,
Hallelujah,
sedet in Dei solio,
Hallelujah.

5 In hoc triumpho maximo, [Ascensionis Domino]
Hallelujah,
Benedicamus Domino,
Hallelujah.

6 Laudetur sancta Trinitas,
Hallelujah,
Deo dicamus gratias,
Hallelujah.

GERMAN

Gen Himmel aufgefahren ist,
Hallelujah!
der König der Ehren Jesus Christ,
Hallelujah!

2 Er sitzt zur Rechten Gottes Hand,
Hallelujah!
herrscht über Himmel und alle land,
Hallelujah!

3 Nun ist erfüllt, was geschrieben ist,
Hallelujah!
in Psalmen von dem Herren Christ,
Hallelujah!

4 Nun setzt beim Herren Davids Herr,
Hallelujah!
wie zu ihm hat gesagt der Herr,
Hallelujah!

5 Drum jauchzen wir mit größem Schall'n
Hallelujah!
dem Herren Christ zu Wohlgefall'n,
Hallelujah!

6 Wir loben die heilig' Dreifaltigkeit,
Hallelujah!
von nun an bis in Ewigkeit.
Hallelujah!