Day 5 - The Golden Carol
"Legendary lore has provided for us three notable personages, Gasper, Melchior, and Balthasar, commonly known as the Magi, who, guided by the star, were present at or shortly after the Nativity. These were the wise men who, under the direction of the star, traveled to Bethlehem with their gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense - whence the practice of bestowing gifts at the season of the Nativity." (Joshua Sylvester, from his A Garland of Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern (1861)
To accompany the appearance of the Magi in medieval nativity plays, special music was composed in the manner of The Golden Carol. This old English carol is still sung at Epiphany.
The Golden Carol (of the Three Wise Men)
We saw a light shine out a-far,
On Christmas in the morning;
And straight we knew it was Christ's star,
Bright beaming in the morning.
Then did we fall on bended knee,
On Christmas in the morning;
And prais'd the Lord, who let us see
His glory at its dawning.
Oh! Every thought be of His Name,
On Christmas in the morning;
Who bore for us both grief and shame,
Afflictions sharpest scorning.
And we may die (when death shall come,)
On Christmas in the morning;
And see in Heav'n, our glorious home,
That Star of Christmas morning.
The Golden Carol - arr. by Roger C. Wilson (organ)
The Golden Carol - Life Treasury of Christmas Music
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