Monday, December 26, 2016

A Very English Christmas


ON CHRISTMAS DAY in the MORNING 



I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas day in the morning.

Our Saviour Christ and his lady*
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas day in the morning.

Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice, amain,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Then let us all rejoice, amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.


 "Derbyshire" - English Traditional


Source: William Sandys, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (London: Richard Beckley, 1833)

____________________________

*"His lady" refers to the Virgin Mary.


Keep Listening, Please. This is Only the First Piece in a Generous Playlist of Beautiful Modern Music Composed Especially for this Most Special 
of All Special Seasons

13 comments:

  1. Ya' know, I just couldn't help myself singing along in head as I read it! LOL!

    JMJ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are MODERN arrangements of traditional texts, Jersey. The singers are absolutely GREAT. Nobody does it quite so well as the British, although St. Olaf's College in Northfield, Minnesota, and Brigham Young University in Utah are both SUPER good –– at least they were the last time i heard 'em. Everything changes, as we know all too well.

      Anyway, glad you enjoyed all this stuff. We get very little attention here whenever I post music, but I do it anyway, because I think it's important.

      HAPPY DAZE!

      Delete
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  8. This music is glorious! Perfect for St. Stephen's Day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I especially love "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day." My favorite choral group here in the D.C. area introduced me to this beautiful song, which was a stranger to me until that first concert with this lovely tune included.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most of these texts may be found in The Oxford Book of Carols, the greatest repository I know for texts and tunes related to Christmas and Easter. It's a WONDERFUL resource!

      I am very happy to learn that highly gifted church musicians still compose fantastic NEW settings of these tunes and texts. I find that very encouraging.

      Merry Christmas!

      Delete
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    ReplyDelete
  11. I especially love "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day." My favorite choral group here in the D.C. area introduced me to this beautiful song, which was a stranger to me until that first concert with this lovely tune included.

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