From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her

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About this hymn

Date: 1535
Tune: Vom Himmel hoch
Composer: Traditional German melody
Key: D
Meter: 8 8 8 8

Historical background

Luther wrote this Christmas hymn for household and congregational use; the source pairs Catherine Winkworth’s 1855 translation with the sixteenth-century German tune.

Theology & Scripture

Its narrative moves from the angelic announcement to adoration of the incarnate Christ.

Lk 2:6-20 · Jn 3:16-18 · Rom 5:8

Musical background

Vom Himmel hoch is presented in the documented public-domain setting named by the source score. This edition contains four-part SATB harmony in D.

Sources & rights

Verified for United States on 2026-10-12. Public domain — source score marking

Words: Martin Luther, 1535. translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1855. Music: 'Vom Himmel Hoch' traditional German from Schumann's Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539. Setting: "Common Service Book" (ULCA), 1917. copyright: public domain.
Music source: 'Common Service Book with Hymnal', ULCA 1918 Hymn 19.