1. Laetabundus exsultet fidelis chorus alleluia.
Regem regum intactae profudit thorus res mirranda.
2. Angelus consilii natus est de virgine sol de stella.
Sol occasum nesciens stella semper rutilans semper clara.
3. Sicut sidus radium profert virgo filium pari forma.
Neque sidus radio neque mater filio fit corrupta.
4. Cedrus alta Libani conformatur hyssopo valle nostra.
Verbum mens altissimi corporali passum est carne sumpta.
5. Isaias cecinit synagoga meminit numquam tamen desinit esse caeca.1
Si non suis vatibus credat vel gentilibus Sibyllinis versibus haec praedicta.
6. Infelix propera crede vel vetera cur damnaberis gens misera.2
Quem docet littera natum considera ipsum genuit puerpera.
Amen.
Changes by the Dominican Reform in 1985 because of the intolerable antijudaistic text:
1obligata.
2electa.
English text
Let the faithful sing God’s praises,
And exultant in their joy,
Join their hearts to angel phrases
Worshipping this infant boy.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
King of Kings, of virgin born,
Mystery we hail this morn!
Messenger of changeless Wisdom,
Born of Mary’s virgin womb -
You, the Sun of heaven’s kingdom;
She, the star who conquers gloom.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sun born of a star, your light
always makes the darkness bright.
Like a bright star sends out its ray,
So the virgin gives her child.
Starlight’s beauty does not decay
By its shining undefiled.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thus it was with Virgin birth
By which Jesus lights the earth.
Greatest cedar of Lebanon,
Choosing in this vale to grow
Small as hyssop, greater than none;
We, by faith, your glory know.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
He, who is the Word Divine,
Takes on flesh like yours and mine.
Long ago, Isiah taught this,
And we claim to be Christ’s own:
Let us not cling to our darkness;
By our light, may Christ be shown.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Virgin-born, we turn to you,
In our hearts, your word renew.
Translation by Wilfrid Jones, significantly omits and adapts vv 5-6 of the Latin
Latin text
English text