Gbogb' Ọkàn Mí Yọ̀ Lálẹ́ Yìí / All My Heart This Night Rejoices

Author: Paul Gerhardt
English Translator: Catherine Winkworth
Yoruba Translator: Ayobami Temitope Kehinde

Gbogb' ọkàn mí yọ̀ lálẹ́ yìí Bí mo tí ń gbọ́ Nílé lóko Ohùn áńgelì dídùn “A bí Krist'”, akọrin ń kọrin Títí i- bi gbogbo Yóò fi rinlẹ̀ fáyọ̀. ‘Jagunsẹ́gun ń jáde lọ lónì í Ó borí ọ̀tá, ẹ̀ṣẹ̀, ’Bìnújẹ́, ’kú, ’pò òkú Ọlọ́run dèèyàn láti gbà wá Ọmọ Rẹ̀, Ó jọ́kan Pẹ̀l' ẹ̀jè wa títí. A ṣì ń bẹ̀rù ’bín' Ọlọ́run, T’Ó fi fún wa Lọ́fẹ̀ ‘Ṣura Rẹ̀ tó ga jù? Láti rà wa padà l'Ó fún wa L’Ọmọ Rẹ̀ Látorí ’tẹ́ Ipá Rẹ ní ọrùn Ó d'Ọ̀dọ́ Àgùntàn t'Ó mú Ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ lọ́ Ó sì ṣe Ìpẹ̀tùsí  kíkún Ó fẹ̀mí Rẹ̀ lélẹ̀ fún wa: Ìran wa Níp' oor'ọ̀fẹ́ Rẹ̀ a yẹ fún ògo. Gbóhùn kan láti ’bùjẹ́ ’ran Dídùn ni, Ó ń bẹ̀bẹ̀, “Sá fún ’dààmú, ewù Ará, ẹ ti gbà ’dásílẹ̀ Lọ́wọ́ ibi, Ohun ẹ nílò Èmi ó fi wọ́n fún yín.” Wá wàyí, lé bànújẹ́ lọ Gbogbo yín, Lọ́kọ̀kan, Ẹ wá torin ayọ̀ Fẹ́ Ẹni t' Ó ń tàn fún ìfẹ́ Ẹ kíràwọ̀- Nílé lóko- Tó múmọ̀lẹ́, ayọ̀ wá Olúwa, mo mọ rírì Rẹ Bíkú tilẹ̀ Gbẹ̀mí mi Síbẹ̀ n kò ní ṣègbe Dípò n ó wà pẹ̀lú Rẹ títí Lókè lọ́huǹ, Nín' ayọ̀ yẹn, Èyí tí kìí pòórá. Translated by Ayobami Temitope Kehinde Dec 14, 2018.

All my heart this night rejoices as I hear far and near sweetest angel voices. "Christ is born," their choirs are singing till the air ev'rywhere now with joy is ringing. Forth today the Conqu'ror goeth, who the foe, sin and woe, death and hell, o'erthroweth. God is man, man to deliver; His dear Son now is one with our blood forever. Shall we still dread God's displeasure, who, to save, freely gave His most cherished Treasure? To redeem us, He hath given His own Son from the throne of His might in heaven. He becomes the Lamb that taketh sin away and for aye full atonement maketh. For our life His own He tenders; and our race, by His grace, fit for glory renders. Hark! a voice from yonder manger, soft and sweet, doth entreat, "Flee from woe and danger; brethren, from all ills that grieve you you are freed; all you need I will surely give you." Come, then, banish all your sadness, one and all, great and small; come with songs of gladness. Love Him who with love is glowing; hail the star, near and far light and joy bestowing. Dearest Lord, Thee will I cherish. Though my breath fail in death, yet I shall not perish, but with Thee abide forever there on high, in that joy which can vanish never.

My Notes

 This was a Christmas hymn I learnt 27 years ago as a little girl. Abeokuta North Association, my Baptist church province then usually organised Christmas celebration for children. The children segment of each church in the association would then organise their children into a choir and teach them Christmas songs which they would render at the venue of the event.

It was for this event that we were taught a few verses of this beautiful hymn and another Yoruba Christmas song by one big brother we called Boda  Gbenga. Boda Gbenga was way older than us and his full name is Gbenga Omotunde. He was one of the church pianists and the son of a deacon. I never forgot the song (I rarely forget songs). And then, three Christmas seasons ago, I typed the first line on Google and found the song! I was excited and more elated as I sang through all the stanzas. They are all beautiful and quite meaningful. I am pleased and honoured to be able to translate into my mother tongue, Yoruba. I hope many more people get blessed by this anointed song as much as it has blessed me.