Joseph dearest, Joseph mine

Joseph dearest, Joseph mine. German carol, 14th century. This is a translation of a traditional German carol found in manuscripts of the 14th and 15th centuries, beginning ‘Joseph, lieber Joseph mein’. As ‘Josef lieber neve mein’ it is attributed to the Monk of Salzburg. Early versions such as ‘Joseph liber neve myn’ are found in Wackernagel, Das Deutsche Kirchenlied II. 461-2. See the entry on ‘Resonet in laudibus’*. It is sung to the tune of ‘Resonet in laudibus’, and was used as an antiphon to the Latin verse. Its first two lines, ‘Joseph dearest, Joseph mine/ Help me rock the Child divine’ (NOBC text) signify its origins as a ‘cradle-rocking’ carol, in which the children would rock...