This new take on the German Christmas carol uses the ancient Resonet in Laudibus melody but places it in an entirely different setting for SATB choir, piano, and alto saxophone. The soulful timbre of the saxophone plays warm, lyrical phrases over gentle choral writing for a memorable lullaby to the Christ Child. Alternate instrument parts for C and B-flat instruments and Horn in F are also available for free digital download.
“Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine” is a fourteenth-century German Christmas carol. It originated as a sacred folk drama—a narrative song to be sung as part of a play. In the medieval world, these songs told stories of the Bible in the same way that stories were told in secular plays.
The text is written from the perspective of Mary as she sings a lullaby to the newborn Christ child. But she also invites Joseph to the manger in the first stanza:
“Joseph dearest, Joseph mine,
Help me cradle the child divine;
God reward thee and all that’s thine
In paradise,” so prays the mother Mary.
The second stanza is Joesph’s response. His words articulate the glimpse of heaven on earth that comes by the birth of Jesus at Christmas:
Gladly, dear one, lady mine,
I will cradle this child of thine;
Heav’nly light on us both shall shine
In paradise, as prays the mother Mary.
The third stanza is Mary’s lullaby to the baby Jesus. She confesses that the child she cradles is the Son of God, who has come to redeem the fallen creation:
Sweet and lovely little one,
Princely, beauteous God’s own Son,
Without Thee were we all undone:
Our love is won by Thine, O Son of Mary.
The fourth stanza invites all nations to come and worship the Christ child, foreshadowing the visit of the Wise Men at Epiphany:
All shall come and bow the knee;
Wise and happy their souls shall be,
Loving such a divinity,
As all may see in Jesus, Son of Mary.
Jonathan Kohrs’s setting uses the familiar Christmas melody Resonet in Laudibus, but instead of a jaunty, exuberant character, this carol is appropriately set as a soothing, meditative lullaby. The piano accompaniment drives the lilting 6/4 meter with rising and falling chords. The accompanying instrument’s line—preferably an alto saxophone—is lush and pondering. If an alto saxophone is unavailable, a French horn would similarly personify the tone, although a clarinet or oboe would also be fine choices.
In the first stanza, the soprano and alto voices begin in unison, outlining the carol’s melody. Then, the treble voices split into two parts before the tenor and bass voices round out the stanza in four-part harmony. An interlude with the descending minor third (C-A) serves as a melodic refrain in between stanzas.
The second stanza is written similarly to the first, but the tenor and bass voices begin in unison before breaking into two parts. Then, the soprano and alto voices join for the phrase “as prays the mother Mary” in four-part harmony to conclude the stanza.
The third stanza is written for four parts the whole way through. It is sung a cappella, and the syncopation and passing tones underneath the melody keep the tempo moving forward for Mary’s lullaby to her Son. The instrumental interlude before the final stanza deviates from the pattern of the first two interludes. It gathers melodic and dynamic energy before the choir begins stanza 4 in unison.
The voices break into four parts again during the final stanza and reach a stirring conclusion. The instrumental coda at the end again echoes the descending minor third (C-A) as the piece ends.
This piece would be fitting for any Lessons and Carols service during the seasons of Advent or Christmas, and especially on Christmas Eve, when the narrative of Christ’s birth from Luke 2 is read.
Alto saxophone is not a common liturgical instrument, so this piece would also be an excellent opportunity to employ a saxophonist, if one is available. The novelty of a saxophone and the familiarity of the beloved melody Resonet in Laudibus are a compelling combination for a new carol this Christmas.
Play this piece at your church by ordering the print version below. For those who need the setting faster, try our downloadable option.