To hear the music (without words), go to The hymns and carols: Whence is that goodly fragrance? and click on "MIDI".EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).
1. BEAUTIFUL SMELL, WAFT-UNDER-NOSE WHERE FROM?
MAKE OUR SENSES MESMERIZED DONE-FOR.
VERY-FIRST TIME SHEPHERD EXPERIENCE.
E-V-E-N SPRING NOT EQUAL INSPIRED.
2. LIGHT SHINE-DOWN STRONG, WHAT'S-UP?
NOT EXPECT SKY HAVE STAR SO-MUCH BRIGHT.
SOMETHING NEW NOW SEEM HAPPEN.
WHAT CAN CHANGE OUR SKY LIKE THAT?
3. BETHLEHEM! THERE-rt IN MANGER LIE"over time".
HE-rt PAY-OFF OUR DEBT. GO FIND HIM-rt.
HURRY! HURRY! GO FIND THERE-rt NOW.
WORSHIP YOUR SAVIOR BORN TODAY.
Notes: WAFT-UNDER-NOSE - [5], PO donw, FO > NDS, moves under nose > DS while wg and head travels a little when the smell reaches the nose.
SENSES MESMERIZED DONE-FOR - Middle FT of [open 8] travels up the chest from waist to top + [5] points its FT > the signer's face, FT wg and hand moves away from face with the face following after it and the hand closes to [S] + (2h)[5], POs down, FOs away, hands rise while swiveling rapidly at the wrists.
VERY-FIRST - [1], PO down, FO away, supinates like the sign FIRST, but strikes the thumb of NDH [A dot], PO > DS, FO away. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: First.
LIGHT SHINE-DOWN - (2h)[O^], POs away, FOs up, open to (2h)[5], while separating + [O^] is held high PO > signer; hands open to [5^] while moving > signer.
SO-MUCH - (2h)[5:], POs ><, FOs away, separate while "so much" is mouthed.
BETHLEHEM - "B" CITY. For an animated gif of this sign, see Valley Bible Church - ASL dictionary: Bethlehem.
THERE-rt - [B], PO up, FO > the thing to be honored.
MANGER - (2h)[5], FOs down interlace fingers and then separate while ascending in outward arcs.
PAY-OFF - [open 8] runs middle finger up palm (> wrist), changes to a [B], PO down, and then moves back across palm.
DEBT - [1^] taps FT against palm of [B], PO up, FO away. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Debt.
Lyrics:
1. Whence that goodly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our senses all away?
Never the like did come a blowing,
Shepherds, from flow'ry fields in May.
2. What is that light so brilliant,
Breaking here in the night across our eyes?
Never so bright the day-star waking
Started to climb the morning skies!
3. Bethlehem! There in manger lying
Find your redeemer, haste away!
Run ye with eager footsteps hieing!
Worship the Savior born today!
To hear the music (without words), go to The hymns and carols: Whence is that goodly fragrance? and click on "MIDI".
