Twelve Days of Christmas

Epiphany - Bright and Glorious is the Sky

The Epiphany, January 6, traditionally marks the end of Christmas and tells the story (from the Gospel of Matthew) of a star that announces the birth of a new King of the Jews, who is then visited by three wise men, or magi, from the East.

One of the most cherished Danish Christmas and Epiphany hymns is Dejlig er den himmel blå (Delightful is the Blue Sky) [traditional English version: Bright and Glorious is the Sky]. The text is by Nicolai F. S. Grundtvig (1783-1872), with music by Jacob Gerhard Meidell (1778–1857). Meidell’s simple and graceful melody supports Grundtvig’s poetic retelling of the star of Bethlehem and the journey of the magi. The song represents Grundtvig's first conscious attempt to renew Danish hymn poetry. It was written as a children's song and originally contained 19 verses. Grundtvig later settled on a version with only seven verses. The song's blend of narrative warmth and devotional clarity has made the hymn a central part of the Scandinavian Christmas repertoire for generations. 

1. Dejlig er den himmel blå,

      Delightful is the clear blue sky

lyst det er at se derpå,

   it is pleasant to look at it,

hvor de gyldne stjerner blinke,

   where the golden stars twinkle,

hvor de smile, hvor de vinke

   where they smile, where they wave

|: os fra jorden op til sig :|

  |: us from the earth up to him :|

2. Det var midt i julenat,

      It was the middle of Christmas night,

hver en stjerne glimted mat,

   each star twinkled dimly,

men med ét der blev at skue

   but with one that remained to be seen

én så klar på himlens bue

   one so bright in the arch of the sky

|: som en lille stjernesol :|

   |: like a small starry sun :|

3. Når den stjerne lys og blid

      When that star bright and gentle

sig lod se ved midnatstid,

   was seen at midnight,

var det sagn fra gamle dage,

   it was a legend from ancient times,

at en konge uden mage

   that a King without a peer

|: skulle fødes på vor jord :|

   |: would be born on our earth :|

4. Vise mænd fra Østerland

      Wise men from the East

drog i verden ud på stand

   went out into the world on a mission

for den konge at oplede, for den konge at tilbede,

   to seek out the king, to worship the king,

|: som var født i samme stund :|

   |: who had been born at that very moment :|

5. De ham fandt i Davids hjem,

      They found him in the house of David,

de ham fandt i Betlehem

   they found him in Bethlehem

uden spir og kongetrone,

   without a spire and a royal throne,

der kun sad en fattig kone,

   where only a poor woman sat,

|: vugged barnet i sit skød :|

   |: cradling the child in her lap :|

6. Stjernen ledte vise mænd

     The star led the wise men 

til vor Herre Kristus hen;

   to our Lord Christ;

vi har og en ledestjerne,

   we also have a guiding star,

og når vi den følger gerne,

   and when we follow it willingly,

|: kommer vi til Jesus Krist :|

   |: we come to Jesus Christ :|

7. Denne stjerne lys og mild,

      This star, bright and gentle,

som kan aldrig lede vild,

   which can never lead astray,

er hans Guddoms-ord det klare,

   is his Word of God, the clear one,

som han os lod åbenbare

   which he revealed to us

|: til at lyse for vor fod :|

   |: to light our feet :|

Dejlig er den himmel blå - Coro Misto; arr. by Søren Birch

Dejlig er den himmel blå - DR Pigekoret; arr. by Idunn Vindspoll 

And here is a performance of the English language version . . .

Bright and Glorious is the Sky - Laestadian Lutheran Church

Bright and glorious is the sky,

Radiant are the heavens high

Where the golden stars were shining

And their rays to earth inclining,

Beckoning us to heaven above,

Beckoning us to heaven above.

On that holy Christmas night

Through the darkness beamed a light

All the stars above were paling,

All their luster slowly failing,

As the Christmas star drew nigh,

As the Christmas star drew nigh.

Sages from the East afar,

When they saw this wondrous star,

Went to the find the King of nations,

And to offer their oblations

Unto Him as Lord and King,

Unto Him as Lord and King.

Him they found in Bethlehem,

Yet He wore no diadem;

They but saw a maiden lowly

With an Infant pure and holy,

Resting in her loving arms,

Resting in her loving arms.

Guided by the star they found

Him Whose praise the ages sound,

We too have a star to guide us

Which forever will provide us

With the light to find our Lord,

With the light to find our Lord.

As a star God’s holy Word

Leads us to our King and Lord;

Brightly from its sacred pages

Shall this light throughout the ages

Shine upon our path of life,

Shine upon our path of life.

If you made it this far, have a music filled 2026, and spread the word about these wonderful carols!

Vinny

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 12 - Wassail! Wassail! All Over The Town (The Gloucester Wassail)

Through the years there have been many different variations of the lyrics, chorus, and number of stanzas sung for The Gloucester Wassail, depending on the historical time period, geographic location, and individual circumstance. The underlying tune used for the lyrics has also altered considerably, depending on similar factors. However the current version of the tune is documented to have existed for at least several hundred years. The sheet music published in William Henry Husk's Songs of the Nativity (1868), which contains the oldest reference of it being sung (in the 1790s), resembles the modern version, and in the oldest known sheet music publication in the Times Telescope (1813), the tune also resembles the one still sung today. (note from Wikipedia)

Refrain

Wassail! wassail! all over the town,

Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;

Our bowl it is made of the white (green) maple tree;

With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

1. Here's to our horse, and to his right ear,

God send our master a happy new year:

A happy new year as e'er he did see,

With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.  Refrain

2. So here is to Cherry and to his right cheek

Pray God send our master a good piece of beef

And a good piece of beef that may we all see

With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.  Refrain

3. Here's to our mare, and to her right eye,

God send our mistress a good Christmas pie;

A good Christmas pie as e'er I did see,

With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.  Refrain

4. So here is to Broad Mary and to her broad horn

May God send our master a good crop of corn

And a good crop of corn that may we all see

With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.  Refrain

5. And here is to Fillpail and to her left ear

Pray God send our master a happy New Year

And a happy New Year as e'er he did see

With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.  Refrain

6. Here's to our cow, and to her long tail,

God send our master us never may fail

Of a cup of good beer: I pray you draw near,

And our jolly wassail it's then you shall hear.

7. Come butler, come fill us a bowl of the best

Then we hope that your soul in heaven may rest

But if you do draw us a bowl of the small

Then down shall go butler, bowl and all.

8. Then here's to the maid in the lily white smock,

Who tripp'd to the door and slipp'd back the lock;

Who tripp'd to the door and pull'd back the pin,

For to let these jolly Wassailers walk in.

9. Be here any maids? I suppose here be some;

Sure they will not let young men stand on the cold stone!

Sing hey O, maids! come trole back the pin,

And the fairest maid in the house let us all in.

10. Here's to Dobbin, and to his right ear,

God send our master a happy New Year;

A happy New Year as e'er he did see

With my Wassailing Bowl I drink to thee.

11. Here's a health to the ox and to his right eye,

Pray God send our master a good Christmas pie,

A good Christmas pie as e'er I did see

In the Wassail bowl we'll drink unto thee

12. Here's a health to the ox and to his right horn,

Pray God send our master a good crop of corn,

A good crop of corn as e'er I did see,

In the Wassail bowl we'll drink unto thee

13. Here's a health to the ox and to his long tail,

Pray God send our master a good cask of ale,

A good cask of ale as e'er I did see,

In the Wassail bowl we'll drink unto thee

14 . . . and many others . . .

Wassail! Wassail! All Over The Town - The Waverly Consort [Refrain, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Wassail! Wassail! All Over The Town - The Longest Johns [Refrain, 2, 10, 7, 8]

Wassail! Wassail! All Over The Town - arr. by Ralph Vaughan Williams [Refrain, 11, 12, 13, 7, 8]

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 11 - In the Ending of the Year

The words for this carol are from the 12th century anonymous German carol In hoc anni circulo (In the Year's Circle). This text was translated by Rev. John Mason Neale and published in his Medieval Hymns (1863).  Neale noted that In hoc anni circulo is "one of the most popular of Christmas Carols, and is found with greater variations than almost any other. There is scarcely a European language which has not had an ancient translation." In 1908 George Radcliffe Woodward reinterpreted Neale's translation and published it in his Songs of Syon. The melody (from the Jistebnicz Kantional, circa 1420) was then harmonized by Woodward for his collection.

The version of In the Ending of the Year we'll hear today, however, is by composer Peter Niedmann, written in 1994 and employing five of Woodward's original ten verses.

1. In the ending of the year

Light and life to man appear:

And the Holy Babe is here,

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

2. Adam ate the fruit and died,

But the curse, that did betide

All his sons, is turn’d aside 

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

3. Noah shut the Ark of old,

When the flood came, as is told:

Us its doors to-day enfold 

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

4. Every creature of the plain

Own’d the guileful serpent’s reign;

He this happy day is slain 

By the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh flesh

By the Virgin Mary. 

5. Wherefore let our quire to-day 

Banish sorrow far away, 

Singing and exulting aye 

With the Virgin Mary.

For the Word becometh flesh

By the Virgin Mary.

In the Ending of the Year - Harvard University Choir

Twelve Day of Christmas

Day 10 - A la venue de Noël

In 17th century France secular noëls (carols) from Provence associated with the miracle of the Nativity were not allowed to be sung during Mass. Composers like Balbastre, Daquin, and Corrette found a way around this ban: they arranged them for the organ. One approach to transcribing these noëls was very inventive and playful: the theme is presented, then varied using specific registers of the organ (oboe, cromorne, flute) to imitate the rustic instruments of shepherds. One such Provençal noël, by composer Nicolas Saboly (1614-1675), is A la venue de Noël (The Arrival of Christmas).

1. A la venue de Noël

   At the coming of Christmas,

Chacun se doit bien réjouir

   Everyone should rejoice,

Car c'est un testament nouvel

   For it is a new covenant

|: Que tout le monde doit tenir. :|

   That everyone must uphold.

2. Quand par son orgueil, Lucifer

   When, through his pride, Lucifer

Dedans l'abîme trébucha

   Stumbled into the abyss,

Nous conduisant tous en enfer

   Leading us all to hell,

|: Le Fils de Dieu nous racheta. :|

   The Son of God redeemed us.

3. Incontinent que Dieu fut né

   As soon as God was born,

L'ange l'alla dire aux pastours

   The angel went to tell the shepherds,

Qui se prirent tous à chanter

   Who all began to sing,

|: Sonnant chevrettes et tambours. :|

   Playing pipes and drums.

4. Après un bien petit de temps

   After a very short time,

Trois rois le vinrent adorer

   Three kings came to adore him,

Portant la myrrhe avec l'encens

   Bringing myrrh and frankincense,

|: Et l'or qui est fort à priser. :|

   And gold, which is highly prized.

5. Là, virent le doux Jésus-Christ

   There, they saw the sweet Jesus Christ,

Et la mère qui le porta

   And the mother who bore him,

Celui qui tout le monde fit

   He who created the whole world,

|: Et les pécheurs ressuscita. :|

   And resurrected sinners.

6. Bien apparut qu'il nous aima

   It was clearly shown that he loved us

Quand à la croix pour nous fut mis

   When he was placed on the cross for us;

Dieu le Père qui tout créa

   God the Father, who created all,

|: Nous donne à la fin Paradis. :|

   Gives us Paradise in the end.

A la venue de Noël

A la venue de Noël - arr. by Christophe Gautier / Maîtrise Notre-Dame de Paris

. . . and an organ variation on A la venue de Noël by Claude Bénigne Balbastre.

A la venue de Noël - Robert Lehman, organ

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 9 - Adoração dos pastores (The Adoration of the Shepherds)

The tradition of singing Christmas carols is celebrated in most Christian countries, from the Philippines to Poland, passing through Greece and Ukraine. Even in less cold Christmases, such as in Australia and New Zealand, there is a custom of singing by candlelight on the nights preceding and following December 25th. On the Iberian Peninsula, various cultural differences gave rise to different ways of singing Christmas carols. In Spain, Villancicos, inspired by medieval dances, are popular; in Portugal, the theme is its own; poets like Camões used the form, but applied it to themes that were anything but Christmas related.

The story of The Adoration of the Shepherds (Adoração dos pastores) in Christmas carols harks back to the biblical narrative of the shepherds who were the first to receive the news of Jesus' birth, symbolizing humility, simplicity, and God's acceptance of the marginalized. These events have been transformed into hymns and songs that celebrate this encounter with the Savior, reinforcing the message of love and gratitude.

Um pastor vindo de longe

   A shepherd from afar

À nossa porta bateu

   Knocked at our door

Trouxe recados que dizem

   He brought tidings that say

O Deus menino nasceu.

   The Baby God is born.

Este recado tivemos

   We received this message

Já meia noite seria

   It was already midnight

Estrelas do céu lá vamos

   Stars in the sky, let's go

Dar parabéns a Maria.

   To congratulate Mary.

Vamos ter com os mais pastores

   Let's go with the other shepherds

Não se percam no caminho

   Don't get lost on the way

Vamos todos e depressa

   Let's all go quickly

Visitar o Deus Menino.

   To visit the Baby God.

Ai, que formoso Menino!

   Oh, what a beautiful Child!

Ai, que tanta graça tem!

   Oh, what grace He has!

Ai, que tanto se parece

   Oh, how much He resembles

Com sua Senhora Mãe!

   His Lady Mother!

Adoração dos pastores - arr. Mário Nascimento / Coro Ninfas do Lis (Portugal)

Adoração dos pastore - arr. by Carlos Santos Silva / Coral a cappelas

Adoração dos pastores - Coro Areias de Vilar (Portugal)

Twelve Days of Christmas - New Year’s Day

Day 8 - Some New Year’s Day Songs!

The Shepherd's Carol . . . to be sung on New Year's Day

The New Year is begun,

Good morrow, my masters all!

The cheerful rising sun

Now shining in this hall,

Brings mirth and joy to man and boy

With all that here doth dwell;

Whom Jesus bless with love's increase

So all things shall prosper well.

A New Year's gift I bring

Unto my master here,

Which is a welcome thing

Of mirth and merry cheer.

A New Year's lamb come from thy dam

An hour before daybreak;

Your noted ewe doth this bestow,

Good master, for your sake.

And to my dame so king

This New Year's gift I bring;

I'll bear an honest mind

Unto her while I live.

Your white-wooled sheep I'll safely keep

From harm of brush or briar,

That garments gay for your array

May clothe you the next New Year.

And to your children all,

These New Year's gifts I bring;

And though the price be small,

They're fit for queen or king:

Fair pippins red kept in my bed

A-mellowing since last year,

Whose beauty bright so clear of sight

Their hearts will glad and cheer.

And to your maids and men

I bring both points and pins;

Come bid me welcome then,

The good New Year begins;

Thy office show before I go,

My bottle and bag come fill;

And for thy sake I'll merry make

Upon the next green hill.

The Shepherd's Carol - Passamezzo

Young Men and Maids On New Year's Day . . . a carol for New Year's Day

Young men and maids on New Year's Day,

Their loves they will present

With many a gift both fine and gay,

Which gives them true content:

And though the gift be great or small,

Yet this is the custom still

Expressing their loves in ribbons and gloves,

It being their kind good-will.

Fine ruffs, cravats of curious lace

Maids give them fine and neat;

For this the young men will them embrace

With tender kisses sweet:

And give them many pleasant toys

To deck them fine and gay,

As bodkins and rings with other fine things

For the honour of New Year's day.

Young Men and Maids On New Year's Day - Passamezzo

Twelve Days of Christmas - New Year’s Eve

Day 7 - The Moon Shines Bright (The Bellman's Song)

The Moon Shines Bright is a carol much in use in the midland and western counties of England. A shorter version was issued by the Seven Dials printers and likewise on west-country broadsides under the title of The Bellman. In the Seven Dials copy the fourth line of the first verse runs, "And hark! the bellman of the night." The functionary known in bygone times as the Bellman was a kind of night watchman, who, in addition to his staff and lantern, carried a bell, and at a certain period of the year was wont to arouse the slumbering inhabitants of the town to listen to some such effusion as that which is given below. For this service (?!) he looked for some gratuity at Christmas. (from the Hymns and Carols of Christmas)

1. The moon shines bright and the stars give light

A little before the day

Our Lord, Our God, he called on us

   [And hark! the bellman of the night]

And bid us awake and pray!

2. Awake, Awake! good people all

Awake and you shall hear

The Lord our God, died on the cross

For us he loved so dear

3. O fair, O fair Jerusalem,

When shall I come to thee?

When shall my sorrows have an end,

Thy joy that I may see?

4. The fields were green as green could be,

When from His glorious seat,

Our Lord, our God, he watered us,

With His heavenly dew so sweet.

5. And for the saving of our souls

Christ died upon the cross,

We ne'er shall do for Jesus Christ

As he has done for us.

6. For the life of a man is but a span,

And cut down in its flower,

We are here to-day, and to-morrow gone,

We are all dead in an hour. [a creature of an hour]

7. O pray teach your children, man

The while that you are here;

It will be better for your souls,

When your corpse lies on the bier.

8. To-day you may be alive, dear man 

Worth many a thousand pound;

To-morrow may be dead, dear man,

And your body be laid under ground.

9. With one turf at your head, O man,

And another at your feet;

Thy good deeds and thy bad, O man,

Will all together meet.

10. My song is done, I must be gone,

I can stay no longer here;

God bless you all, both great and small,

And send you a happy (joyful) New Year!

First, a very classic rendition . . .

The Moon Shines Bright - Magdalen College Choir

   [verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10]

. . . next, a much more folk-like performance . . .

The Moon Shines Bright - Coope, Boyes, Simpson

   [verses 1, 2, 5, 6, 10]

 . . . and a solo version with all ten verses . . . 

The Bellman's Carol (The Moon Shines Bright) - Baltimore Consort

. . .  an organ prelude reflection on the tune . . .

Prelude on The Moon Shines Bright - Robin Milford, composer; Andrew Seivewright, organ

. . . and lastly, as is often the case, a modern version inspired by the ancient words . . .

The Bellman's Song - Malcolm Archer, composer

   [verses 1, 2, 3, 5, 6]

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 6 - To Shepherds As They Watched

This carol sent me down a surprisingly deep rabbit hole as I tried to come up with some interesting things to say about it. The basics are straightforward . . .

The original hymn, Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar (From Heaven Came a Host of Angels), was written by Martin Luther in 1532, based on readings from the Bible in Luke ii. 10, 11, and Matthew, ii. 6. Luther apparently wrote these verses because his first Christmas hymn, the fifteen stanza Vom Himmel hoch o Engel kommt (From heaven above, O angels, come) was considered too long. The verses celebrate Christ's birth with "glad tidings," the arrival of the Christ-child as Savior, and an invitation to all to come to the manger. Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar is one of only two hymns preserved in Luther’s own handwriting.

1) Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar,

     From heaven came a host of angels,

erschien den hirten offenbar;

     appearing openly to the shepherds;

sie sagten ihn’: „Ein Kindlein zart,

     they said to them: "A tender child,

das liegt dort in der Krippen hart.

     lies there in the hard manger.

2) zu Bethlehem, in Davids Stadt,

     In Bethlehem, in David's city,

wie Micha das verkündet hat,

     as Micah has prophesied,

es ist der herre Jesus Christ,

     it is the Lord Jesus Christ,

der euer aller Heiland ist.

     who is the Savior of you all.

3) Des sollt ihr alle fröhlich sein,

     Therefore, you should all be joyful,

daß Gott mit euch ist worden ein.

     that God has become one with you.

Er ist geborn eu’r Fleisch und Blut,

     He is born of your flesh and blood,

eu’r Bruder ist das ewig Gut.

     your brother is the eternal Good.

4) Was kann euch tun die Sünd und Tod?

    What can sin and death do to you?

Ihr habt mit euch den wahren Gott;

    You have the true God with you;

laßt zürnen Teufel und die Höll,

    let the devil and hell rage,

Gottes Sohn ist worden eu’r Gesell.

    God's Son has become your companion."

5) Er will und kann euch lassen nicht,

     He will and can never leave you,

setzt ihr auf ihn eu’r Zuversicht;

     if you place your trust in Him;

es mögen euch viel fechten an:

     many may fight against you:

dem sei Trotz, der’s nicht lassen kann.

     defy him who cannot desist.

6) Zuletzt müßt ihr doch haben recht,

     In the end you must prevail,

ihr seid nun worden Gotts Geschlecht.

     you have now become God's offspring.

Des danket Gott in Ewigkeit,

     Therefore thank God for all eternity,

geduldig, fröhlich allezeit.

     patient and joyful at all times.

It is set to the tune Puer nobis nascitur from the 1582 collection Piae Cantiones (Pious Songs), and the two most famous and widely used harmonizations of the hymn are by Michael Praetorius (1609) and George Ratcliffe Woodward (1910).

Puer nobis nascitur (chant)

Puer nobis nascitur - Montreal Compline Choir

Puer nobis nascitur (Michael Praetorius) - Gabrielli Consort

Next we turn to the English version of Luther's hymn, or should we say, one of the English versions, and one that follows the original very closely. This is the 1854 translation by Richard Massie, To Shepherds As They Watched By Night (below). Here's where my search got tangled and messy. One would think that Massie's fine translation would receive some outstanding performances online. That is not the case as of Christmas 2025. There are a number of "pop" and "contemporary" sounding versions using Massie's words, but no performances by professional choirs. And the only videos presenting the lovely George Ratcliffe Woodward harmonization are by a number of pianists who recorded the arrangement in lieu of a full choir.

1. To shepherds as they watched by night

Appeared a host of angels bright;

Behold the tender Babe, they said,

In yonder lowly manger laid.

2. At Bethlehem, in David's town,

As Micah did of old make known;

'Tis Jesus Christ, your Lord and King,

Who doth to all salvation bring.

3. Oh, then rejoice that through His Son

God is with sinners now at one;

Made like yourselves of flesh and blood,

Your Brother is the eternal God.

4. What harm can sin and death then do?

The true God now abides with you.

Let hell and Satan rage and chafe,

Christ is your Brother--ye are safe.

5. Not one He will or can forsake

Who Him his confidence doth make.

Let all his wiles the Tempter try,

You may his utmost powers defy.

6. Ye shall and must at last prevail;

God's own ye are, ye cannot fail.

To God forever sing your praise

With joy and patience all your days.

To Shepherds As They Watched By Night - George Ratcliffe Woodward harmonization; Andrew Remillard, piano

All this searching then led me to other recordings of choirs singing the same music, but to different texts. Which then steered me to producing a list of other texts that use the 16th century tune as an underlay - some English transformations of Luther's original ideas, and others quite unrelated to Luther's words or Christmas at all . . . even though Puer nobis nascitur is a medieval Christmas carol. Here's what I found:

Hymns using the tune Puer nobis nascitur, from Piae Cantiones (1582):

 - A Little Child the Savior Came

 - All Praise to Thee, Eternal Lord

 - As Angels Joyed with One Accord

 - As It Fell Upon a Night

 - Come Join with Me

 - Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth

 - Creating Spirit, Holy Lord

 - Creator of the Stars of Night

 - Emmanuel, We Sing Thy Praise

 - Epiphany of Wisdom's Dawn

 - Father in Heav'n, Who Lovest All

 - Good News from Heaven the Angels Bring

 - Jesus Christ the Lord is Born

 - Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day

 - The Lord Whom Earth and Sea and Sky

 - My Song Forever Shall Record (Psalm 89)

 - My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord

 - O Father, Listen to Our Prayer

 - O God, You Are My God Alone

 - O Lord of Hosts, Almighty King

 - O Lord, Thy People Gathered Here

 - O Love Divine, Who's Constant Beam

 - O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High

 - O Splendor of God's Glory Bright

 - O That I Could Forever Dwell

 - O Thou Whose Gracious Presence Shone

 - On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry

 - That Easter Day with Joy was Bright

 - These Treasured Children

 - Thou Lord of Hosts, Whose Guiding Hand

 - 'Tis Winter Now, the Fallen Snow

 - To Shepherd's as They Watched by Night

 - Unto Us a Boy is Born

 - Unto Us is Born a Son

 - The Virtue of Humility

 - We Are But Little Children Poor

 - We Praise Thee, God, for Harvests Earned

 - What Star is This, with Beams So Bright

Here's one of the best performances that I could find, by a choir singing the music of Puer nobis nascitur and the words What Star is this, with Beams So Bright

The Redeemer Choir

1. What star is this, with beams so bright,

More lovely than the noonday light?

’Tis sent to announce a newborn king,

Glad tidings of our God to bring.

2. ’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed,

“From Jacob shall a star proceed;”

And lo! the eastern sages stand

To read in heav’n the Lord's command.

3. O Jesus, while the star of grace

Impels us on to seek thy face,

Let not our slothful hearts refuse

The guidance of thy light to use.

4. To God the Father, heav’nly Light,

To Christ, revealed in earthly night,

To God the Holy Spirit raise

An endless song of thankful praise!

And here's a beautiful organ prelude on the same tune . . . 

Prelude on To Shepherds As They Watched By Night - Paul Manz, composer; Yasmin Phillip, organ

And LASTLY(!), a fine version of a variation on the Puer nobis nascitur tune (in 4/4 time instead of 3/4 time) and to the words As It Fell Upon A Night

arr. by Katherine K. Davis - Duqeusne University Chamber Singers

1. As it fell upon a night

In the winter weather,

Angels bright in starry height

Began to sing together.

2. Shepherds sleeping on the plain

Woke to see the glory,

All amazed they stood and gazed

And heard the angels’ story.

3. Unto you a child is born

In a manger lowly,

Humble, He, yet born to be

The King of Love most holy.

4. In a manger now He lies,

ox and ass before Him;

All the world at last shall come

to worship and adore Him.”

5. Though it be a winter night,

Love is still appearing!

Through the sound of war and woe

that song we still are hearing.

6. Happy angels from afar,

Cease your singing never!

In excelsis gloria!

Forever and forever.

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 5 - В Віфлеємі новина (News in Bethlehem)

News in Bethlehem is a Transcarpathian Christmas carol. Transcarpathia is a unique, multicultural region in western Ukraine, situated south of the Carpathian Mountains, known for its blend of Ukrainian, Hungarian, Slovak, and other European cultures, distinct cuisine, castles, and historical status as part of various states, now forming Ukraine's westernmost oblast, bordering Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. It's characterized by its varied landscapes, unique dialect, and rich heritage influenced by its crossroads location, distinct from other Ukrainian lands due to its mountain isolation.

The carol tells this story: In Bethlehem, News! The Virgin gave birth to a Son, gave birth in grace. The immaculate Virgin is the Mother Mary. She laid him in the manger in a stable in Bethlehem. Joseph comforts the Virgin and helps Mary to swaddle. Glory to God and praise Him. The nativity scene has come: Angels come from heaven, with the Son of God, and they glorify Mary. In the dark night, a strange light strikes the eyes – a bright star showing where Mary has given birth to the Child Jesus. Not far away, shepherds grazed their flock in the valley. They travel to the manger to see Mary and her Child.

In Bethlehem today the news:

The Most Pure Virgin gave birth to a Son,

|: Swaddled in a manger, among the cattle,

The God rested on the hay, unclothed. :| (2X)

Already the Cherubim sing glory,

The angelic choirs of the Lord soar,

|: The poor shepherd carries what he can,

To bestow gifts on the Child of God. :|

And the bright star of the world cries out:

The Messiah brings joy, happiness!

|: To Bethlehem, all of you, hasten now,

Welcome God in the poor Child! :|

Following the light of the star somewhere from the east

Three lords of princely lineage come,

|: Gold, gifts, incense, myrrh

At once with a pure heart they bring as an offering. :|

Mary, the Mother of her Son, cherishes her Son,

Joseph, the old man, warms the swaddling clothes,

|: And the King of the universe in winter and pain

Blesses us for a better fate. :|

Dear Jesus, we are not rich,

We cannot give you gifts of gold,

|: But we bring a gift more precious than peace,

This is the faith of the heart, this is sincere love. :|

Look with a sincere eye, O Son of God,

On our land, on Ukraine,

|: Send her a great gift from heaven,

So that she may glorify You forever and ever. :|

News in Bethlehem - Ternopil Theological Greek-Catholic Seminary

News in Bethlehem - Honored Academic Transcarpathian Folk Choir

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 4 - Coventry Carol (Lullaby Carol)

This carols is one of many songs and hymns that relate to the Feast Day of the Holy Innocents, December 28th. The Coventry Carol - also know as the Lullaby Carol - is an English Christmas carol dating from the 16th century. It was traditionally performed in Coventry, England as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. The play depicts the Christmas story as described in Matthew, Chapter 2 in the Bible. The carol references the Massacre of the Innocents, in which Herod ordered all male infants under the age of two in Bethlehem to be killed, and takes the form of a lullaby sung by the mothers of the doomed children. The oldest known text of the carol was written down by Robert Croo in 1534, and the oldest known melodic setting dates from 1591.

The words of the carol focus on grief, lamentation, and the human cost of Herod’s decree, using simple, repetitive language to evoke emotional intensity. Lines such as Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child function as a cradle song, blending tenderness with tragedy. This juxtaposition of lullaby and lament highlights the vulnerability of the infant Jesus and the surrounding suffering, deepening the carol’s emotional resonance and theological reflection on the contrast between human sin and divine salvation. (thanks to  Hymnallibrary.com)

Refrain

Lully, lulla

Thou little tiny Child

By by, lully, lullay

O sisters too,

How may we do,

For to preserve this day?

This poor Youngling

For Whom we do sing

By by, lully, lullay?  (Refrain)

Herod the king,

In his raging,

Chargèd he hath this day

His men of might,

In his own sight,

All young children to slay.  (Refrain)

That woe is me,

Poor Child for Thee!

And ever morn and may,

For thy parting

Neither say nor sing,

By, by, lully, lullay.

Coventry Carol - The Anúna Collective (arr. Michael McGlynn)

Coventry Carol - Voces8 U.S. Scholars (arr. by Barnaby Smith)

. . . and another version by composer Kenneth Leighton

Coventry Carol - King's College Choir

Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 3 - Patapan

Burgundy is the region in eastern France which is one of France's prime areas for the development of noëls (carols). Much of the carol activity in Burgundy came from the pen of the French lawyer and poet Bernard de la Monnoye (1641-1728), the carol poet laureate of Burgundy. Several of his Christmas poems are still in print today. All of Monnoye's carols, written in the Burgundian dialect, were composed around 1700 and set to folk tunes, though some of the music may have been written by Monnoye himself. The carol Patapan was first published in his collection Noël borguignon (1700) with the title Guillô, pran ton tamborin (Willie, Bring Your Little Drum). The carol revolves around the birth of Jesus, and is told from the perspective of children playing simple instruments (flutes and drums), with onomatopoeic sounds mimicking the sounds of the instruments - "patapan" mimics the sound of the drum, "tu-re-lu-re-lu" the flute. 

The carol features two boys, Guillô (Willie) and Robbin, who are taught to praise God and rejoice at the birth of Christ by playing upon the drum and flute. Willie and Robin were common characters in old French carols (like Peter, Mary, Jack and Jill in English nursery rhymes), and the praise they give is symbolic of the village community as a whole giving praise to God. It has been translated numerous times into English (see here), each giving its own take on the original text.

Here's the first verse in the original Burgundian dialect (with a literal English translation):

Guillô, pran ton tamborin / William, take your drum

Toi, pran tai fleute Robbin / You, take your flute, Robin

Au son de ces instruman / To the sound of these instruments

Turelurelu, patapatapan / Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pata-pata-pan

Au son de ces instruman / To the sound of these instruments

Je diron Noei gaiman / I will say Christmas cheerfully

And now the full carol, in modernized French, again with a literal English translation:

Guillaume, prends ton tambourin

     William, take your tambourine,

Toi, prends ta flûte, Robin

     You, Robin, take your flute.

Au son de ces instruments

     To the sound of these instruments,

Turelurelu, patapatapan

     Turelurelu, patapatapan,

Au son de ces instruments

     To the sound of these instruments,

Je dirai Noël gaîment

     I will joyfully sing of Christmas.

C'était la mode d’autrefois

     It was the custom of old,

De louer le Roi des rois

     To praise the King of Kings,

Au son de ces instruments

     To the sound of these instruments,

Turelurelu, patapatapan

     Turelurelu, patapatapan,

Au son de ces instruments

     To the sound of these instruments,

Il nous en faut faire autant

     We must do the same.

Ce jour le diable est vaincu

     This day the devil is vanquished,

Rendons-en grâce à Jésus

     Let us give thanks to Jesus.

Au son de ces instruments

     To the sound of these instruments,

Turelurelu, patapatapan

     Turelurelu, patapatapan,

Au son de ces instruments

     To the sound of these instruments,

Faisons la nique à Satan

     Let us defy Satan.

L'homme et Dieu sont plus d’accord

     Man and God are more in accord,

Que la flûte et le tambour

     Than the flute and the drum;

Au son de ces instruments

     To the sound of these instruments,

Turelurelu, patapatapan

     Turelurelu, patapatapan,

Au son de ces instruments

     To the sound of these instruments,

Chantons, dansons, sautons en

     Let us sing, dance, and leap for joy!

Here, now, is the English version used in David Conte arrangement:

Willie bring your little drum;

Robin bring your flute and come;

And be merry while you play,

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan.

And be merry while you play,

On this joyful Christmas day!

When the men of olden days

To the king of Kings gave praise,

On the fife and drum did play,

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan.

On the fife and drum did play,

On this joyful Christmas day!

God and man today become

More in tune than fife and drum;

So be merry while you play,

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan.

So be merry while you play,

Sing and dance this Christmas day!

Pat-a-pan - Atlanta Master Chorale (arr. by David Conte)

And yet another translation, which is used in the next two videos:

Willie take your little drum,

With a whistle Robin come,

When we hear the fife and drum,

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan.

When we hear the fife and drum

Christmas should be frolicsome.

So the people in those days (Thus the men of olden days)

Loved the King of Kings to raise,

When they hear the fife and drum,

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan.

When they hear the fife and drum,

All the children soon will come. (Sure our children won't be dumb!)

God and man are now become

More at one than fife and drum

When you hear the fife and drum,

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pa-ta-pa-ta-pan.

When you hear the fife and drum,

Dance and make the village hum.

Pat-a-pan - Quadriga Consort

Pat-a-pan - Yura Lytkin & Friends