Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

The Gesualdo Six

“Es ist ein Ros entsprungen” (Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming) is a well-known German Christmas carol based on the words of Isaiah 11:1. The composition by an unknown author goes back to the 16th century and was found as early as 1599 in the Speyerer Gesangbuch. In 1609, Michael Praetorius composed the four-part harmony known unto this day.

The rose or branch that sprouted from the tree or stump of Jesse, as prophesied by Isaiah, does not primarily relate to Jesus—even though his issuance is implied–but to Mary. There is an interesting feature in the synopsis of the Gospel of Luke (chapter 3) and the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 1), which presents two different genealogies of Jesus Christ: After David, the names of Jesus’ progenitors diverge.

Most scholars believe that Luke’s genealogy is that of Mary, as she, too, was of the house of David, son of Jesse. While Joseph’s fathers trace back through Solomon, Mary’s lineage came through Nathan.

The fine voices of award-winning British vocal ensemble The Gesualdo Six, recorded at Ely Cathedral, invoke the perfect atmosphere celebrating the virgin birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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 flow'ret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
aus einer Wurzel zart,
als uns die Alten sungen,
von Jesse kam die Art
und hat ein Blümlein bracht
mitten im kalten Winter
wohl zu der halben Nacht.