[1] The piece is scored for male chorus with two brass orchestras and timpani, and consists of four parts, the first and last based on established Lutheran chorales.

Part 2, beginning "Vaterland, in deinen Gauen", was later adapted to the words of Charles Wesley’s Christmas carol "Hark!

[1] The use of a large choir and two orchestras was designed to make use of the natural acoustics of the market-place to produce an impressive, resonant sound.

Wo Finsternis und Gram einst lag, da glänzt nun sonnenhell der Tag.

Chorale Commemorate with holy hymns the great hour of joy which comes, let a thousand voices sing thanks to the Lord with heart and mouth.

Lied Vaterland, in deinen Gauen brach der goldne Tag einst an.

Neues, allgewaltges Streben wogt im Land des Lichtes auf, seinem raschen Siegeslauf folgt ein allbeglückend Leben.

Gutenberg, der große Mann, hat dies hehre Werk getan.

Whether the darkness defends itself, whether it pulls a thousand tricks, whether it rages outraged, still it pales, sinks like a corpse, while crowned as a champion, stands the light before all the world.

He helped you in the harder fight, he stood with consolation and confidence, protective at your side.

So schallt zu deinen heilgen Thronen, Herr, unser Gott, hinauf der Ruf von Millionen, und brünstig flehen wir: lass in des Lichtes Schein der ganzen Menschheit Heil, Herr, immermehr gedeihn.