Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Although Christmas is still several months away, it always sneaks up in a hurry. Especially when it comes to Christmas music; by the time I have located all my holiday dulcimer tablature stuck away in notebooks here and there — it is too late to learn new music. This time, I am posting a dulcimer arrangement for a beautiful Christmas tune early, “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” This is an old German carol which dates to the 16th century. It should be played sofly, slowly and freely with expression. In fact, many arrangements don’t even show a time signature for this song. I love this melodic song — it uses lots of chords — it definately cannot be played with the middle and bass strings tagging along as “drones”; it reminds me of a nighttime church service. I hope you will enjoy my two-part arrangement.

About “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”

The author of text of this German carol is unknown; it dates to the 15th century. The lyrics have lots of symbolism related to German culture. The rose is a reference to the Virgin Mary. The text, originally two verses, tells of the the prophesy of Isaiah which foretells the Incarnation of Christ — the pre-existent divine person, the Son of God, to becoming a human being. The hymn also makes reference to the Tree of Jesse, which is a traditional symbol of the lineage of Jesus — often depicted in early art work. In verse three, the flower refers to the baby Jesus. (Reference: Wikipedia) Hence, the song has become associated with Christmas.

1 Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.

2 Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night.

3 This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load.

(Source: https://hymnary.org/text/lo_how_a_rose_eer_blooming)

The first publication of the tune was in 1599 in the Speyer Hymnbook as “Es Ist ein Ros Entsprungen.”

Michael Praetorius, a court composer in central Germany, wrote the familiar harmonization in 1609. Praetorius was a proficient composer, and organist, music conductor and theorist who was the son of a Luthern minister. He spent much of his career in the service of German courts.

The tune was translated to English in the 1800’s by various musicians. The harmony has largely remained as originally published and is the defining factor in this song.

Playing the Tune

Time signature: This song can be a little confusing to play by “technical” rules for standard notation. It actually is a very syncopated song. In some arrangements, the time signature changes almost every measure. In arrangements using a 4/4 time signature, notes are held past the end of the measure and into the beginning of the next measure! This gives a “syncopated” feel to the song. The arrangement includes two fermatas — pause and hold these notes longer. This tune includes lots of half notes; it should be played slowly and with expression.

After considering lots of options, I decided to make an arrangement using a 4/4 time signature. When playing it on the dulcimer, make sure to hold the notes on the melody line as shown and to hold the notes with the fermatas.

Harmony part: I included a harmony part for this tune. It helps fill out the chords. Plus, the notes are played on the beat — they are offset from the melody notes at certain places in my arrangement — this gives the feeling of a “back and forth” motion.

Chords: The defining aspect of this tune is the chords. This arrangement is full of chords; some chords change on each note. The should all be played — no drones in this song. When both the melody and harmony are played on the dulcimers — the arrangement sounds like a choir. We’re at a nightime Christmas church service.

We are still several months away from Christmas. I’m okay to leave the commerical side of Christmas until later. However, it is rewarding to learn a few new tunes related to the Christmas season now. I hope you enjoy my interpertation of this beautiful song.