Widening circulation O Sanctissima

earliest known printing: european magazine, november 1792

after being published anonymously european magazine in 1792 , american magazine in 1794, 1800s o sanctissima spreading in multiple languages. j.g. herder included song posthumously in prominent book of traditional folksongs (stimmen der völker in liedern, 1807), while haydn (hob. xxiiic:f2) , beethoven (woo 157:4) each wrote choral arrangements of latin hymn. german-language version ( o du fröhliche , c.1816) became well-known christmas carol, original lyrics j.d. falk referring not blessed virgin mary, rather jesus himself , day of birth. in english:

or, in english-language rendition:

in 20th century, group of textual variants commonly known o thou joyful became popular in united states. although of these texts anonymous, 1 has been attributed william glass.

by 1835, tune (with first half repeated) came used english recessional hymn lord, dismiss thy blessing , , 1945 appears have influenced melody of american civil rights anthem shall overcome , close match between first half of both tunes.