All bells in Paradise

for Stephen Cleobury and the choir of King’s Colleg, Cambridge

Deep in the cold of winter,
Darkness and silence were eve’rywhere;
Softly and clearly, there came through the stillness a wonderful sound,
A wonderful sound to hear.

All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring;
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth, a heavenly King.
All bells in paradise, I heard them ring,
‘Glory to God on high’ the angel voices sing.

Lost in awe and wonder,
Doubting I asked what this sign may be;
Christ, our Messiah, revealed in a stable,
A marvelous sight, a marvelous sight to see.

All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring;
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth, a heavenly King.

He comes down in peace,
A child in humility,
The keys to his kingdom belong to the poor;
Before him shall kneel the kings with their treasures,
Gold, incense, and myrrh.

All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring;
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth, a heavenly King.
All bells in paradise, I heard them ring,
‘Glory to God on high’ the angel voices sing,
The angel voices sweetly sing.

冬のそこしれない寒さ、暗黒と静寂はあらゆる所に存在する
静かに、そしてはっきりと、
その静けさの中を、素晴らしい音が、聞こえる
素晴らしい音が、聞こえてきた

☆1
天のすべての鐘、それがもたらした荘厳な響きが鳴るのを聞いた
荘厳な知らせをその響きに聞いた
ようこそ、我らの救い主が、天国の王が地上にうまれたまいたことを歓迎して

☆2
天のすべての鐘たち、私はそれらが鳴るのを聞いた
「天の神に栄光あれ」と天使の声たちが歌う

畏れと不思議さに我を忘れ
このしるしがなになのかを尋ねあう
キリスト、我々の救世主が、ある馬小屋に現れた
驚くべき光景
見ることのできる信じられない光景

☆1 繰り返し

彼は、平和のうちに降りてくる
貧しい子供
彼の王国のカギは、貧しさに属するということ
彼の前に、王たちは宝や金、賛美、没薬と共に跪くだろう