Carols! Carols! Carols!
A Holiday Tradition
Program Notes
Holiday seasons are the times when choirs often choose to sing carols – notably at Christmas time and at Easter time. Christmas carols are religious in nature (usually with multiple stanzas), while Christmas songs are secular (with or without multiple stanzas). We (as has custom) will stretch the definition slightly and include both religious and secular pieces and refer to them as carols. It is not uncommon for groups of friends (carolers) to get together at this time of year and go door to door (caroling) in order to spread the joy of the season (often with the expectation of a tot and/or treat) after the singing is done. The term “noel” has sometimes been used, especially for carols of French origin.
The first known Christmas hymns may be traced to 4th century Rome. The Latin hymn Corde natus ex Parentis (Of the Father’s Heart/Love Begotten) is an example, and is still sung today. In the 9th and 10th centuries, the Christmas sequence was introduced in Northern European monasteries. In the 12th century the Parisian monk, Adam of Saint Victor, began to derive music from popular songs, introducing something closer to the traditional Christmas carol. In the 13th century, in France, Germany, and Italy a strong tradition of popular Christmas songs in regional native languages developed. Christmas carols in English first appear in a 1426 work of John Awdlay, who lists twenty-five “caroles of Cristemas”, probably sung by groups of “wassailers” who went from house to house. The songs now known specifically as carols were originally communal songs sung during celebrations like harvest as well as Christmas.
Many carols which have gained popularity were printed in Piae Cantiones, a collection of late medieval Latin songs which was published in 1582. Good King Wenceslas first appeared in this collection. Carols gained popularity after the Reformation in the countries where Protestant churches gained prominence. Martin Luther encouraged their use in worship.
Today, carols are regularly sung at religious services. Some compositions have words that are clearly not of a religious theme but are often referred to as “carols” all the same. Little research has been done on carol singing, but one of the few sociological studies of caroling in the 21st century in Finland determined that the sources of songs are often misunderstood, and that it is simplistic to suggest caroling is mostly related to Christian beliefs. It is not clear whether the word “carol” derives from the French “carole” or the Latin “carula” meaning a circular dance.
That little preamble hopefully provides some insight into a concert such as this one. As well as carols, this concert will also include “songs” relevant to the season, solos – both piano and vocal, and a chance to sing with us. Think of it more as an old-fashioned concert where friends come together (of all faiths) to join in the celebration of love, peace, goodwill, and happiness.
Deck the Hall(s) is a traditional Welsh tune (Nos Galan) dating back to the 16th century. The English lyrics were written in 1892 by a Scottish musician named Thomas Oliphant. The pluralizing of “hall” to “halls” occurred around 1892. The carol as we know it was most often sung on New Year’s Eve and was published in 1794.
Good King Wenceslas tells the story of a Bohemian king who goes on a journey, braving harsh weather, to give alms to poor peasants on the Feast of St. Stephen (December 26). The legend is based on the life of St. Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907-935), who was not a king but a duke. The Holy Roman Emperor Otto I posthumously “conferred on Wenceslaus the regal dignity and title.” In 1853 the English hymn writer Jason Mason Neale translated the lyrics from Czech into English. Neale’s lyrics were set to the 13th century spring carol “Tempus adest floridum – Easter Has Come”.
The melody of Sans Day Carol was first collected and transcribed by Gilbert Hunter Doble in the early 1900s. This is a traditional Cornish Christmas carol named after the Cornish village of St. Day. It is listed as #35 in the Oxford Book of Carols and is closely related to another carol, The Holly and the Ivy.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a classic example of a cumulative song. The number of gifts given to the speaker by their “true love” increases by one on each of the twelve days of Christmas, starting with Christmas Day. There are many variations from country to country and sometimes it is sung almost like a contest. If you forget the number of gifts or the gift itself you may have to take a drink or steal a kiss. Because of the nature of the lyrics, each verse is one line longer than the previous one.
The origin of I/We Wish You a Merry Christmas lies in the English tradition wherein wealthy people of the community gave Christmas treats to the carolers on Christmas Eve, especially “figgy pudding” which was very much like the modern Christmas pudding. In the west country of England figgy pudding referred to a raisin or plum pudding not necessarily containing figs. Originally the first word was “I” but that has since been replaced with the more common “we.” Conductor/organist Arthur Warrell is responsible for the popularity of the carol as he arranged it for his own group of singers in 1935. The greeting “a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” is recorded from the early 18th century. The carol also contains a threat as the lyrics say that “we won’t go until we’ve got some” – some being figgy pudding.
Nöel Nouvelet is a traditional French carol often sung for New Year and dates from the 15th to early 16th centuries. “Nouvelet” comes from the root “noel” which means “new/newness.” The carol celebrates all the figures of the creche and would be sung by families at home and at community gatherings rather than as part of the church liturgy. It is in the Dorian mode and shares its first five notes with the hymn Ave Maria, Stella Lucens Miseris.
Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agréable? (What Is that Lovely Fragrance?) is a 17th century traditional French Christmas carol about the nativity. The words are by John Gay, best known for The Beggar’s Opera (1728), and set to the tune from that work Fill Ev’ry Glass.
Past Three A Clock is an English Christmas carol, loosely based on the call of the traditional London waits, musicians and watchmen who patrolled during the night, using a musical instrument to show they were on duty and to mark the hours. The refrain dates from at least the early modern period, appearing in print in 1665. The words were written by George Ratcliffe Woodward to the traditional tune London Waits.
Shepherd’s Pipe Carol is a modern carol with lyrics and music by John Rutter. Rutter composed the carol while he was an undergraduate at university in 1966 with it being published a year later at the request of David Willcocks. Rutter stated that “he believed his inspiration for writing it came from when he sang as a boy soprano during the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors and heard pipe music as the title character headed for Bethlehem with the magi.” Interestingly, prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union, choirs in the Baltic states reportedly circulated photocopies and faxes of the carol to be sung as a sign of resistance to Soviet control. There is a charming, almost rollicking, light-heartedness to this carol. Four of the verses are in third-person with the middle verse in the words of the shepherd himself.
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day is an English carol usually attributed as “traditional.” Its first written appearance is in William B. Sandys’ Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern of 1833 although it is most certainly from an earlier date. The phrase “to see the legend of my play” speculates that the text may be based on an earlier version associated with mystery plays of the late medieval period. There is almost a breathlessness to the underling voices which accompany the melody.
A New Year Carol also known as Levy-Dew or Residue is a British folk song of Welsh origin traditionally sung at New Year celebrations. It is associated with a New Year’s Day custom which involves sprinkling people with water newly drawn from a well. Children would collect fresh water from a well and go around with a sprig from an evergreen tree, which they used to sprinkle the faces of passersby with the water while singing the carol and begging for gifts of food or money. Elsewhere in Wales, the custom is called dwr newy, “new water,” and the water was also used to ceremonially purify rooms and doors of houses. The song was set to music by Benjamin Britten in 1934.
O Come, All Ye Faithful, also known as Adeste Fideles, is a Christmas carol that has been attributed to various authors, including John Francis Wade, John Reading, King John IV or Portugal and anonymous Cistercian monks. The earliest printed version is in a book by Wade. The original four verses of the hymn were extended to a total of eight, and these have been translated into many languages.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is an English Christmas carol that first appeared in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems. The carol, based on Luke 2:14 tells of an angelic chorus singing praises to God. The lyrics by Charles Wesley were initially entitled Hymn For Christmas-Day with the opening couplet “Hark! How all the Welkin (heaven) rings/Glory to the King of Kings”. In 1840, a hundred years after the publication of Hymns and Sacred Poems, Felix Mendelssohn composed a cantata to commemorate Gutenberg’s invention of movable type, and it is music from this cantata that has been adapted to the tune that is sung today.
O Little Town of Bethlehem is a Christmas carol based on an 1868 text by Phillips Brooks. The carol is popular on both sides of the Atlantic, but to different tunes: in the United States, to “St. Louis” by Lewis Redner; and in the United Kingdom to “Forest Green”, a tune collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams and first published in the 1906 English Hymnal. Phillips Brooks was an Episocal priest in Philadelphia and was inspired by visiting the village of Bethlehem in the Sanjak of Jerusalem in 1865.
The Lamb is a choral piece written in 1982 by John Tavener set to a poem by William Blake. Written for a cappella choir, the music is minimalistic and combines chromaticism with more conventional harmony. The choral writing is homophonic throughout, with largely syllabic word-setting. The performance direction instructs the singers to be “flexible” and “always guided by the words.” The piece makes use of simple harmony with dissonance and is based on variations of a single motif that appears in the first two bars.
Welcome, Yule was written by C. Hubert H. Parry in 1915. Yule means Christmas or the Christmas season, but its older meaning comes from the Germanic pagan holiday centering around the winter solstice. Parry has taken an ancient 15th century carol and composed a spirited piece that asks us to welcome “the heavenly king; innocents, every one; a good New Year; saints, loved and dear, and all that are here.” The piece ends joyously, asking us to “welcome, Yule!”
Every year for the past several years, the BBC Music magazine has included a new carol written especially for subscribers to the magazine and offered to them to be performed free of charge. One of these carols is Love Came Down at Christmas (Christina Rossetti, poet) by Alexander L’Estrange and was published in 2016. The music reflects the direct, sincere and expressive text in a simple strophic form, the melody passing to the basses for the second verse while the sopranos provide an angelic descant. A unison coda draws the piece to a serene close.
Make a Wish for Me on Christmas was written by Canadian composer Stephen Chatman and published in 2001. The lyrics were written by Saskatchewan-born poet Tara Wohlberg. The music is warm and heartfelt and suggests family and loved ones sitting around the fire and enjoying each other’s company. The piece ends with the words “Family gatherings, give us pleasure twinkling candles cast a spell/those you love, a cherished treasure, love and peace—it is noel.”
James Hawn, Artistic Director
-
Tune from Piae Cantiones
Arranged by Reginald JacquesGood King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuelHither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weatherSire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how
I can go no longer.
Mark my footsteps, good my page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shall find the winters rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.In his masters step he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye, who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing. -
John Rutter
Going through the hills on a night all starry
On the way to Bethlehem
Far away I heard a shepherd boy piping
On the way to BethlehemAngels in the sky brought this message nigh:
"Dance and sing for joy that Christ the newborn King
Is come to bring us peace on earth
And He's lying cradled there at Bethlehem.""Tell me, shepherd boy piping tunes so merrily
On the way to Bethlehem
Who will hear your tunes on these hills so lonely
On the way to Bethlehem?Angels in the sky brought this message nigh:
"Dance and sing for the joy that Christ the newborn King
Is come to bring peace on earth
And He's lying cradled there at Bethlehem.""None may hear my pipes on these hills so lonely
On the way to Bethlehem;
But a King will hear me play sweet lullabies
When I get to Bethlehem."Angels in the sky came down from on high
Hovered over the manger where the babe was lying
Cradled in the arms of his mother Mary
Sleeping now at Bethlehem
"Where is the new King, shepherd boy piping merrily
Is He there at Bethlehem?"
"I will find Him soon by the star shining brightly
In the sky o'vr Bethlehem."Angels in the sky brought this message nigh:
"Dance and sing for joy that Christ the king of Kings
Is come to bring us peace on earth
And He's lying cradled there at Bethlehem.""May I come with you, shepherd boy piping merrily
Come with you to Bethlehem?
Pay my homage too at the new King's cradle
Is it far to Bethlehem?"Angels in the sky brought this message nigh:
"Dance and sing for joy that Christ the newborn King
Is born in the stable yonder, born for you and me." -
Conducted by Matthew Praksas
Alexander L’Estrange
Words by Christina RossettiLove came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign. -
John Rutter
Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk,
And Mary bore Jesus, all wrapped up in silk,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass,
And Mary bore Jesus, who died on the cross,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal,
And Mary bore Jesus, who died for us all,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!Now the holly bears a berry as blood is it red,
And Mary bore Jesus who rose from the dead,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly! -
Louella Friesen – soprano
Max Reger
Mary sits by the rose bower
And rocks her little Jesus,
Softly through the leaves
The warm wind of summer blows.A brightly coloured bird
Sings at her feet:
Go to sleep, sweet child,
It’s time to go to sleep!Your smile is lovely,
Your happy sleep lovelier still,
Lay your tired little head
Against your mother’s breast!
Go to sleep, sweet child,
It’s time to go to sleep! -
John Tavener
Words by William BlakeLittle Lamb who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice:
Little Lamb who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee:
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek and he is mild,
He became a little child:
I a child and thou a lamb,
We are called by his name:
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little Lamb God bless thee. -
English traditional
Arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Decant by Thomas ArmstrongO little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
Be born to us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel. -
Connor Elias - piano
from Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuse III
Franz Liszt -
French traditional
Arranged by John RutterNowell, sing nowell,
good people gathered here.
Offer thanks, ye faithful, to the news give ear.
Sing we nowell, a new King born today.
Nowell, sing nowell,
good people gathered here.Unto humble shepherds came the angel near;
”Hence,” said he, “to Bethlehem, be ye of good cheer.
Seek there the Lamb of God, love’s own pure ray.”
Nowell, sing nowell,
good people gathered here.When to Bethlehem they came in lowly fear,
Found they gentle Mary with her son so dear.
Heaven’s mighty Lord all cradled in the hay,Nowell, sing nowell,
good people gathered here.Eastern sages seek him, in the darkness drear
By a star illumined shining forth so clear,
Guiding them to Bethlehem far away.Nowell, sing nowell,
good people gathered here.Now doth our Saviour Jesus Christ appear,
Bringing salvation promised many a year.
By his redeeming blood this happy day.Nowell, sing nowell,
good people gathered here. -
English traditional
Arranged by John RutterOn the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree! -
Welsh traditional
Arranged by David WillcocksDeck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
Fill the mead-cup, drain the barrel,
Fa la la, la la, la la la,
Troul the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.See the flowing bowl before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
Strike the harp and join the chorus;
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la, la la, la la la,
While I sing of beauty's treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
Laughing, quaffing, all together,
Fa la la, la la, la la la,
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la. -
Traditional
Arranged by Charles WoodPast three a clock,
And a cold frosty morning,
Past three a clock;
Good morrow, masters all!Born is a Baby,
Gentle as may be,
Son of the eternal
Father supernal.Past three a clock,
And a cold frosty morning,
Past three a clock;
Good morrow, masters all!Seraph quire singeth,
Angel bell ringeth;
Hark how they rime it,
Time it and chime it.Past three a clock,
And a cold frosty morning,
Past three a clock;
Good morrow, masters all!Mid earth rejoices
Hearing such voices
Ne'ertofore so well
Carolling Nowell.Past three a clock,
And a cold frosty morning,
Past three a clock;
Good morrow, masters all!Thus they: I pray you,
Up, sirs, nor stay you
Till ye confess him
Likewise and bless him.Past three a clock,
And a cold frosty morning,
Past three a clock;
Good morrow, masters all! -
Elaine Thaller - alto
Leroy Anderson
Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing, ring-ting tingle-ing, too,
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "Yoo hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go,
Let's look at the show.
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, it's grand
Just holding your hand.
We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairy land.Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we,
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you. -
Felix Mendelssohn
Arranged by David WillcocksHark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King
peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
join the triumph of the skies
with th'angelic hosts proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord
late in time behold him come
offspring of the Virgin's womb
veiled in flesh the Godhead see
hail th'incarnate Deity
pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing
”Glory to the newborn King”Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings
risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by
born that man no more may die
born to raise the sons of earth
born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing
”Glory to the newborn King” -
John Dodman - baritone
French traditional
Arranged by David WillcocksWhence is that Godly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our sense all away?
Never the like did come ablowing,
Shepherds, in flow’ry fields in May,
Whence is that Godly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our sense all away?What is that light so brilliant,
breaking Here in the night across our eyes?
Never so bright, the day-star waking,
Starting to climb the morning skies!
What is that light so brilliant,
breaking Here in the night across our eyes?Bethlehem! there in a manger lying,
Find your Redeemer, hast away,
Run ye with eager footsteps hieing!
Worship the Saviour born today.
Bethlehem! there in a manger lying,
Find your Redeemer, hast away,Praise to the Lord of all creation,
Glory to God the fount of grace;
May peace abide in every nation,
Goodwill in men of every race.
Praise to the Lord of all creation,
Glory to God the fount of grace. -
English traditional
Arranged by David WillcocksTomorrow shall be my dancing day;
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance;Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love.Then was I born of a virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance
Thus was I knit to man's nature
To call my true love to my dance.Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love.In a manger laid, and wrapped I was
So very poor, this was my chance
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass
To call my true love to my dance.Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love.Tomorrow shall be my dancing day;
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance;Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love. -
Barb Milner - soprano
Gustav Holst
Arranged by Patrick LiebergenIn the bleak midwinter
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone:
snow had fallen,
snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign:
in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.Enough for him whom cherubim
worship night and day,
a breastful of milk
and a mangerful of hay:
enough for him
whom angels fall down before,
the ox and ass and camel
which adore.Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air,
but only his mother,
in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the Beloved
with a kiss.What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb,
if I were a wise man
I would do my part,
yet what I can I give him,
give my heart. -
C. Hubert H. Parry
Welcome be thou, heaven-king,
Welcome born in one morning,
Welcome for whom we shall sing,
Welcome for whom we shall sing,
Welcome Yule.Welcome be ye, Stephan and John,
Welcome Innocents every one
Welcome Thomas Martyr one,
Welcome Thomas Marty one,
Welcome Yule.Welcome be ye, good New Year,
Welcome Twelfth Day, both in fere,
Welcome saints lef and dear,
Welcome saints lef and dear,
Welcome Yule.Welcome be ye Candlemas,
Welcome be ye, Queen of Bliss,
Welcome both to more and less,
Welcome both to more and less,
Welcome Yule.Welcome be ye that are here,
Welcome all and make good cheer;
Welcome all, another year,
Welcome all, another year,
Welcome Yule. -
Benjamin Britten
Here we bring new water from the well so clear
For to worship God with, this happy New YearSing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine;
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her toe,
Open you the West Door, and turn the Old Year go.Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine;
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her chin,
Open you the East Door, and let the New Year in.Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine;
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine. -
Composer unknown
Arranged by David WillcocksO come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him
born the King of Angels:O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!God of God,
Light of Light,
lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
very God,
begotten, not created:O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God
in the highest:O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning,
Jesu, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing:O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord! -
Celeste Woloschuk - soprano
Marley Duckett - alto
David Woloschuk - tenorStephen Chatman
Words by Tara WohlbergLight the fire, outside it’s snowing
strike a match, the kindling’s going.
Safe inside despite the weather
Christmas time and we’re together.
’Round the hearth we nestle cozy
Make a toast or sing a song.
Sleepy cheeks are getting rosy
Sweetly dreaming all night long.Stories told of past Decembers
special times that we remember.
Smiling faces, games and laughter
home made treats to nibble after.
Christmas Eve, is Santa coming?
Creaking stairs— the children hide.
Filling stockings as he’s humming.
They’re amazed and starry-eyed.Make a wish for me on Christmas
Make a wish for us on Christmas.
In your heart you’ll know the choices
many hopes from many voices.
Fam’ly gath’rings give us pleasure
twinkling candles cast a spell.
Those you love, a cherished treasure,
love and peace— it is noel. -
Traditional west country carol
Arranged by Arthur WarrellWe wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
And a happy New Year.Good tiding we bring
To you and your kin;
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.Now bring us some figgy pudding,
Now bring us some figgy pudding,
Now bring us some figgy pudding,
And bring some out here.Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.For we all like figgy pudding,
For we all like figgy pudding,
For we all like figgy pudding,
So bring some out here.Good tiding we bring
To you and your kin;
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.And we won’t go till we’ve got some,
We won’t go till we’ve got some,
And we won’t go till we’ve got some,
So bring some out here.Good tiding we bring
To you and your kin;
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Sing-along Text
O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.Choir a cappella
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend on us, we pay.
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell:
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.
Hark! The Heard Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies,
With the’angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.Choir a cappella
Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness,
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings;
Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!Choir a cappella
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;
Glory to God in the highest:
O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him.
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning,
Jesu, to thee be glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Artist Information
James Hawn, Director
Photo Credit: Amy Violet Photography
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James Hawn, Director of Music since 2003, has been active with the Saskatoon Chamber Singers for most of its history, and has been involved with singing and choirs for as long he can remember. Prior to his current appointment as Director, he was a long-time member of the bass section, and served as the choir’s president for ten years. James has also been actively involved in national and provincial choral organizations for over twenty-five years. He is a member of the Saskatchewan Choral Federation (SCF) and Choral Canada and has served for a number of years on both organizations’ boards. In 2006 he was presented with the SCF’s Pro Musica Award, which recognizes “exemplary service to choral music in Saskatchewan.” James was an English language arts teacher for thirty- two years with the Saskatoon Public Board of Education. During that time he also taught music, was involved in choral and church music, musicals, and drama both in the school system and in the community.
Connor Elias, Collaborative Pianist
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Connor Elias is a pianist from Martensville, Saskatchewan. He holds a Bachelor of Music Honours from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Connor has many influences and include his teacher Bonnie Nicholson. Throughout his undergrad, Connor has received various accolades at provincial and national music festivals, including second in the 2023 Saskatchewan Concerto Competition and third in the 2022 Canada West for piano solo. Apart from piano, Connor is involved as a chorister in the Greystone Singers, conducted by Dr. Jennifer Lang. He enjoys teaching his wonderful piano students, laughing with friends, and spending time with his family.