This edition was prepared by Andrew Sims — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Earth has many a noble city
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
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3 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Earth has many a noble city by Christian Friedrich Witt — Lyrics
Earth has many a noble city;
Bethl’em, thou dost all excel:
out of thee the Lord from heaven
came to rule his Israel.
Fairer than the sun at morning
was the star that told his birth,
to the world its God announcing
seen in fleshly form on earth.
Eastern sages at his cradle
make oblations rich and rare;
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About Earth has many a noble city
Christian Friedrich Witt was a German composer and organist whose works often served the Lutheran church. This hymn setting, Earth has many a noble city, uses an English translation of a Latin text, likely originally a Christmas or Epiphany hymn. The text reflects on the humble birth of Christ in Bethlehem, contrasting it with the grandeur of earthly cities, and celebrating the adoration of the Magi with their symbolic gifts. The SATB voicing allows for rich harmonic expression, suitable for congregational singing or a choir looking for a reflective piece on the Incarnation and its theological significance. The hymn's message culminates in praise to Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit.
