Alleluya, A New Work (Wishart)

Alleluya!
A new work is come on hand
Through might and grace of Godès son
To save the lost of every land.
For now is free that erst was bound.
We may well sing Alleluya!

Now is fulfilled the prophecy
Of David and of Jeremy
And also of Isaiah.
Sing we therefore both loud and high, Alleluya!

Alleluya, this sweetè song
Out of a green branch it sprung;
God send us the life that lasteth long.
Now joy and bliss be him among
That thus can sing Alleluya!

Traditional English Carol (15th century)

Music: Peter Wishart (1953)

Joys Seven (England)

The first good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of one,
To see the blessed Jesus Christ
When he was first her son,
When he was first her son, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of two,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the lame to go.
To make the lame to go, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of three,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the blind to see.
To make the blind to see, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of four,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To read the Bible o'er.
To read the Bible o'er, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of five,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To bring the dead alive.
To bring the dead alive, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of six,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
Upon the crucifix.
Upon the crucifix, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The last good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of seven,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To wear the crown of heaven.
To wear the crown of heaven, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

Words & Music: Traditional English folk carol

Nowell sing we (Exortum Est in Love and Lysse) [setting 1]

Refrain

Nowell sing we, both all and some
Now Rex pacificus is come.

1. Exortum est in love and lysse,
Now Christ His grace He gan us gysse,
And with His body us bought to bliss,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

2. De Fructu ventris of Mary bright,
Both God and man in her alight,
Out of disease He did us dight,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

3. Puer natus to us was sent,
To bliss us bought, fro bale us blent,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

4. Lux fulgebit with love and light,
In Mary mild His pennon pight,
In her took kind with manly might,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

5. Gloria Tibi ay and bliss,
God unto His grace He us wysse,
The rent of heaven that we not miss,
Both all and some. (Refrain)

Mediaeval English Carol (15th century)

Nowell Sing We (Nowel Syng We) [setting 2]

Refrain:

Nowell sing we now all and some
For Rex Pacificus is come

1. In Bethlehem that fair city
A child was born of a maiden free
That shall a Lord and Prince be
a solis ortus cardine

2. Children were slain full great plenty
Jesu for the love of thee
Wherefore their solees saved be
Hostis Herodes impie

3. As the sun shineth through the glass
So Jesu in His Mother was
Thee to serve now grant us grace
O lux beata Trinitus

4. Now God is come to honour us
Now of Mary is born Jesus
Make we merry among us
Exultet coelum laudibus

Mediaeval English Carol (c. 15th century)

The Lord af first did Adam make

1. The Lord at first did Adam make
Out of the dust and clay,
And in his nostrils breathed life,
E'en as the Scriptures day.
And then in Eden's Paradise
He placed him to dwell,
That he within it should remain
To dress and keep it well.

Chorus.

Now let good Christians all begin
An holy life to live,
And to rejoice and merry be,
For this is Christmas Eve.

2. And then within the garden he
Commanded was to stay,
And unto him in commandment
These words the Lord did say:
The fruit which in the garden grows
To thee shall be for meet,
Except the tree in the midst thereof,
Of which thou shalt not east. (Chorus)

3. For in the day that thou shalt eat,
Or do it them come nigh;
For if that thou doth eat thereof
Then surely thou shalt die.
But Adam he did take no heed
Unto that only thing,
But did transgress God's holy law,
And so was wrapt in sin. (Chorus)

4. Now mark the goodness of the Lord
Which he for mankind bore,
His mercy soon he did extend,
Lost man for to restore;
And then for to redeem our souls
From death and hellish thrall,
He said his own dear son should be
The Saviour of us all. (Chorus)

5. Which promise now is brought to pass,
Christians, believe it well;
And by the coming of God's dear Son
We are redeemed from thrall.
Then if we truly do believe,
And do the thing aright;
Then by his merits we at last
Shall live in Heaven bright. (Chorus)

6. Now for the blessings we enjoy,
Which are from Heaven above,
Let us renounce all wickedness
And live in perfect love.
Then shall we do Christ's own command,
Ev'n his own written word,
And when we die in Heaven shall
Enjoy our living Lord. (Chorus)

7. And now the tide is nigh at hand,
Int' which our Saviour came;
Let us rejoice, and merry be,
In keeping of the same.
Let's feed the poor and hungry souls,
And such as do it crave;
Then when we die, in Heaven sure,
Our reward we shall have. (Chorus)

Historical information: Wikipedia / Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Traditional English Carol

Fantasia on Christmas Carols (Ralph Vaughan Williams)

Historical Information

Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1912)

No Small Wonder (Small Wonder the Star)

1 Small wonder the star.
small wonder the light,
the angels in chorus,
the shepherds in fright;
but stable and manger for God -
no small wonder!

2 Small wonder the kings,
small wonder they bore
the gold and the incense,
the myrrh, to adore;
but God gives his life on a cross -
no small wonder!

3. Small wonder the love,
small wonder the grace,
the power, the glory,
the light of his face;
but all to redeem my poor heart,
no small wonder!

Composer: Paul Edwards (b. 1955)

The Angels and the Shepherds (Kommet, ihr Hirten, English)

See also the German original: Kommet, ihr Hirten

1. Shepherds, O hark ye, glad tidings we bring,
Peace and goodwill to the world now we sing;
See in a manger Christ the Anointed,
Whom for your Saviour God hath appointed.
Alleluia.

2. In yonder manger behold now he lies,
Whom angel voices foretold from the skies.
Seeking thy mercy, we kneel before thee,
Singing thy praises, humbly adore thee.
Alleluia.

3. Still through the ages the song doth resound,
Peace and goodwill on the earth shall abound.
Bear we the tidings to every nation,
Born is the Chirst Child for man’s salvation.
Alleluia.

See also the German original: Kommet, ihr Hirten

Historical Information

Kommet, ihr Hirten, Traditional Bohemian Carol

1954 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge

Historical recording of the 1954 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge.

See also: King's College, Cambridge's Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (Carols from King's) from previous years.

The Choir of King's College, Cambridge's recent CD release: Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Setting 3: Mack Wilberg)

See also other arrangements by: David Willcocks / Charles Wood

1. Ding dong! merrily on high
In heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with Angel singing.

Refrain: 

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

2. E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people sungen. (Refrain)

3. Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers. (Refrain)

See also other arrangements by: David Willcocks / Charles Wood

Historical Information: Wikipedia / Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Words:  George Radcliffe Woodward (1848–1934)
Music: "Branle de L'Official," in "Orchesographie," (1588), by Jehan Tabourot (1519-1595)

Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Setting 2: David Willcocks)

 

See also other arrangements by: Charles Wood / Mack Willberg

1. Ding dong! merrily on high
In heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with Angel singing.

Refrain: 

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

2. E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people sungen. (Refrain)

3. Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers. (Refrain)

See also other arrangements by: Charles Wood / Mack Willberg

Historical Information: Wikipedia / Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Words:  George Radcliffe Woodward (1848–1934)
Music: "Branle de L'Official," in "Orchesographie," (1588), by Jehan Tabourot (1519-1595)

Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Setting 1: Charles Wood)

 

See also other arrangements by: David Willcocks / Mack Willberg

1. Ding dong! merrily on high
In heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with Angel singing.

Refrain: 

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

2. E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people sungen. (Refrain)

3. Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers. (Refrain)

See also other arrangements by: David Willcocks / Mack Willberg

Historical Information: Wikipedia / Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Words:  George Radcliffe Woodward (1848–1934)
Music: "Branle de L'Official," in "Orchesographie," (1588), by Jehan Tabourot (1519-1595)

When to the Temple Mary Went (Johannes Eccard)

See also Original German Version: Maria wallt zum Heiligtum

When to the temple Mary went,
And brought the Holy Child,
Him did the aged Simeon see,
As it had been revealed.
He took up Jesus in his arms
And blessing God he said:
In peace I now depart, my Saviour having seen,
The Hope of Israel, the Light of men.

Help now thy servants, gracious Lord,
That we may ever be
As once the faithful Simeon was,
Rejoicing but in Thee;
And when we must from earth departure take,
May gently fall asleep and with Thee wake.

See also Original German Version: Maria wallt zum Heiligtum

Composer: Johannes Eccard (1553-1611)

Sleep! Holy Babe!

Sleep! Holy Babe! upon Thy mother’s breast;
Great Lord of earth and sea and sky,
How sweet it is to see Thee lie
In such a place of rest,
In such a place of rest.

Sleep! Holy Babe! Thine angels watch around,
All bending low with folded wings,
Before th’incarnate King of kings,
In reverent awe profound.
In reverent awe profound.

Sleep! Holy Babe! while I with Mary gaze
In joy upon that face awhile,
Upon the loving infant smile
Which there divinely plays.
Which there divinely plays.

Sleep! Holy Babe! ah! take Thy brief repose;
Too quickly will Thy slumbers break,
And Thou to lengthened pains awake
That death alone shall close,
That death alone shall close.

Historical Information

Words: Edward Caswall (1814-1878)
Music: John B. Dykes (1823-1876), in Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Steiner, Christmas Carols New and Old, First Series (Novello, 1871)

2003 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge

The complete video recording of the carols sung at the recorded-for-TV version ("Carols from King's") of the 2003 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, Cambridge.

 This version is broadcast on BBC TV on Christmas Day. There are a few variations in the list of carols sung on this TV version and the live performance at 3:00 pm on Christmas Eve, 24 December 2003.

Link: Program Booklet


See also: King's College, Cambridge's Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (Carols from King's) from previous years.

The Choir of King's College, Cambridge's recent CD release: Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

The Shepherd's Carol (Bob Chilcott)

We stood on the hills, Lady,
Our day’s work done,
Watching the frosted meadows
That winter had won.

The evening was calm, Lady,
The air so still,
Silence more lovely than music
Folded the hill.

There was a star, Lady,
Shone in the night,
Larger than Venus it was
And bright, so bright.

Oh, a voice from the sky, Lady,
It seemed to us then
Telling of God being born
In the world of men.

And so we have come, Lady,
Our day’s work done,
Our love, our hopes, ourselves,
We give to your son.

Composer: Bob Chilcott (b. 1956)

Past Three O'Clock

Refrain.

Past three a clock,
And a cold frosty morning,
Past three a clock;
Good morrow, masters all!

1. Born is a Baby,
Gentle as may be,
Son of the eternal
Father supernal. (Refrain.)

2. Seraph quire singeth,
Angel bell ringeth;
Hark how they rime it,
Time it and chime it. (Refrain.)

3. Mid earth rejoices
Hearing such voices
e'ertofore so well
Carolling Nowell. (Refrain.)

4. Hinds o'er the pearly,
Dewy lawn early
Seek the high Stranger
Laid in the manger. (Refrain.)

5. Cheese from the dairy
Bring they for Mary
And, not for money,
Butter and honey. (Refrain.)

6. Light out of star-land
Leadeth from far land
Princes, to meet him,
Worship and greet him. (Refrain.)

7. Myrrh from full coffer,
Incense they offer;
Nor is the golden
Nugget withholden. (Refrain.)

8. Thus they: I pray you,
Up, sirs, nor stay you
Till ye confess him
Likewise and bless him. (Refrain.)

Historical Background

Words: Refrain Traditional, Verses - George Radcliffe Woodward (1848–1934)
Music: "London Waits" (Traditional English)

Unto us is born a Son

Unto us is born a Son,
King of quires supernal:
See on earth his life begun,
Of lords the Lord eternal.

Christ, from heaven descending low,
Come on earth a stranger;
Ox and ass their owner know,
Becradled in the manger.

This did Herod sore affray,
And grievously bewilder,
So he gave the word to slay,
And slew the little childer.

Of his love and mercy mild
This the Christmas story;
And O that Mary's gentle child
Might lead us up to glory.

O and A, and A and O,
Cum cantibus in choro,
Let our merry organ go,
Benedicamus Domino.

Historical Information

Words: XV Century Latin, tr. George Radcliffe Woodward (1848–1934)
Music: Piae Cantiones

God is with us / A Christmas Proclamation (John Tavener)

God is with us.
Hear ye people,
Even to the uttermost end of the earth.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.
The people that dwell in the shadow of death,
upon them the light has shined.
For unto us a child is born!
For unto us a son is given!
And the government shall be upon his shoulder,
And his name shall be called Wonderful! Counsellor!
The Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Hear ye people,
Even to the uttermost end of the earth.
God is with us,
Christ is born!

Words: from the Orthodox Great Compline for Christmas Eve
Music: John Tavener (b. 1944)

Drop, Drop, Slow Tears

Drop, drop, slow tears, and bathe those beauteous feet,
which brought from heaven the news and Prince of Peace.

Cease not, wet eyes, his mercies to entreat;
to cry for vengeance sin doth never cease.

In your deep floods drown all my faults and fears;
nor let his eye see sin, but through my tears.

Words: Phineas Fletcher (1582-1650)
Music: Song 46, in G. Wither's The Hymnes and Songs of the Church (London, 1623), by Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)