Quempas

Christmas carol

"Quempas"Christmas carolEnglish"He whom the shepherds praised"Full title"Quem pastores laudavere"GenreChristmas carolLanguageLatin "Quempas" is the shortened title of the Latin Christmas carol "Quem pastores laudavere" ("He whom the shepherds praised"), popular in Germany in the sixteenth century, and used as a generic term for Christmas songs in a German caroling tradition. Quempas is also the name of a collection of old carols published by Bärenreiter since 1930.

[edit] The earliest sources of the carol are from the fifteenth century, including the Hohenfurter Liederbuch [de] from the Hohenfurth Monastery. Many versions exist from the sixteenth century. The most famous version is from Michael Praetorius, Musae Sioniae (1607), with the German text "Den die Hirten lobeten sehre."

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Quem pastores laudavere, quibus angeli dixere, absit vobis iam timere, natus est rex gloriæ.

Ad quem reges ambulabant, Aurum, Thus, Myrrham portabant, immolabant haec sincere, leoni victoriae.

Christo regi Deo nato Per Mariam nobis dato merito resonat vere dulci cum melodia.

Shepherds left their flocks a-straying, God's command with joy obeying, When they heard the angel saying: "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Wise Men came from far, and saw him Knelt in homage to adore him; Precious gifts they laid before him: Gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Let us now in every nation Sing his praise with exultation. All the world shall find salvation In the birth of Mary's Son.

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Students of the Latin school maintained a tradition of "Quempas singen," earning alms by going from house to house, singing carols. In order to revive the Quempas singing tradition and fight the sentimentality of 19th-century Christmas carols, Wilhelm Thomas [de] and Konrad Ameln published a collection of old carols under the title Quempas, sometimes called Quempas-Heft, printed by Bärenreiter. The first collection contained 39 songs with melodies. It was followed by choral editions, and a greater selection including 20th-century carols in 1962. Der neue Quempas, a collection of 41 songs, was published in 2012. The carol is included in volume 2 of the British collection Carols for Choirs (1970), in an arrangement by John Rutter, in Latin with an English translation by Imogen Holst.

Even though the melody dates back to sixteenth‑century Germany, the "Quempas" tune works well alongside contemporary holiday tracks because its simple, chant‑like structure invites sing‑alongs. The Latin lyrics are straightforward enough for a quick translation, letting listeners appreciate the original meaning – a nod to the shepherds’ adoration of the newborn Christ. When you blend it with more familiar carols, it adds a touch of historic depth without sounding out‑of‑place. For families who enjoy a bit of musical archaeology, playing a "Quempas" recording at the start of a Christmas Eve gathering can set a reverent tone before the festive chatter begins.

The "Quempas" appears in many choir and early‑music collections, but not all are equal. Look for versions that credit historically informed performance – ensembles that use period instruments or vocal techniques will capture the carol’s original ambience. Recordings from Bärenreiter’s series often include scholarly liner notes, useful if you want to understand the text’s nuance. For a more relaxed listening experience, seek out modern choral groups that balance authenticity with clear diction, especially if you plan to share the track with children. Check streaming platforms for samples; a good "Quempas" should feel both meditative and uplifting, without excessive reverb that can drown the lyric’s simplicity.

Many assume "Quempas" refers to a single, fixed carol, but historically it became a catch‑all term for any Christmas song sung during German door‑to‑door caroling. The original "Quem pastores laudavere" was just one piece in a broader repertoire of folk‑style hymns. This misinterpretation can lead listeners to expect a uniform style, when in fact the tradition embraces a wide range of melodies and lyrical themes. Recognising this diversity helps you appreciate why different choirs may present "Quempas" with varied ornamentation – each version reflects a local flavour rather than a single, monolithic hymn.