Twelve Days (After) Christmas

Day 6 - Joseph est bien marié

Christmas time would make sacred music shined forth in monarchical France. The court organists had free rein to improvise on the popular Nativity songs, which had been known to all the faithful for centuries, and amateurs would swarm to churches throughout Paris to hear the virtuoso works of these masters.  Here, finally gathered together in this collection, are the most famous organ pieces of Daquin, Corette, Dandrieu and Balbastre along with the melodies that inspired them, played by Gaétan Jarry at the Grand Orgue of the Royal Chapel of Versailles, accompanied by the children’s choir  of the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles, just as the children used to at the Chapel during the reign of Louis XIV.

1. |: Joseph est bien marié à la fille de Jessé :|

        Joseph is indeed married to Jesse's daughter

C'était chose bien nouvelle D'être mère et pucelle

   It was a very new thing To be a mother and a maid

Dieu y avait opéré: Joseph est bien marié

   God was at work there: Joseph is indeed married

2. |: Et quand ce fut au premier Que Dieu voulut nous sauver :|

        And when it was at first that God wanted to save us

Il fit en terre descendre Son seul fils Jésus pour prendre

   He sent down His only son Jesus to the earth, to take

En Marie humanité: Joseph est bien marié

   In Mary's humanity: Joseph is indeed married

3. |: Quand Joseph eut aperçu Que la femme avait conçu :|

        When Joseph saw that the woman had conceived

Il ne s'en contenta mie, Fâché fut contre Marie

   He was not happy with it, he was angry with Mary

Et se voulut en aller: Joseph est bien marié

   And wanted to leave: Joseph is indeed married

4. |: Mais l'ange si lui a dit: Joseph n'en aie point dépit :|

        But the angel said to him: Joseph be not angry

Ta sainte femme Marie Est grosse du fruit de vie

   Your holy wife Mary is pregnant with the fruit of life

Elle a conçu sans péché: Joseph est bien marié

   She conceived without sin: Joseph is indeed married

5. |: Les anges y sont venus Voir le Rédempteur Jésus :|

        The angels came there to see the Redeemer Jesus

De très belle compagnie, Püis à haute voix jolie

   In such pleasant company, then in joyous voices

Gloria ils ont chanté: Joseph est bien marié

   They sang Gloria: Joseph is indeed married

6. |: Or prions dévôtement De bon coeur et humblement :|

        Now let us pray devoutly with good heart and humbly

Que paix, joie et bonne vie Impêtre Dame Marie

   May peace, joy and good life secure Lady Mary

A notre nécessité: Joseph est bien marié

   For all our necessities: Joseph is indeed married

Joseph est bien marié - traditional, arr. by Claude Balbastre, 1724-99 / Choir of the Pages du Centre de musique baroque de Versailles

Twelve Days (After) Christmas

Day 5 - Lully, Lulla, Lullay (Philip Stopford)

British composer Philip Stopford composed Lully, Lulla, Lullay, his version of the Coventry Carol in 2008. The original Coventry Carol dates from the 16th century and was traditionally performed in Coventry as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. The rocking lullaby tells the story of the massacre of the innocents — when King Herod ordered all male infants under the age of two to be killed. It is sung though from a mother's perspective . . . a beautiful lament for her doomed child. (Note thanks to ClassicFM.com)

Lully, lulla, lully lulla

By by, lully lullay

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 sing,

By by, lully lullay?

Lully, lulla, lully lulla

By by, lully lullay

Lully, lulla thou little tiny child

By by, lully lullay

Herod, the king,

In his raging,

Charged he hath this day

His men of might,

In his own sight,

All young children to slay.

Lully, lulla, lully lulla

By by, lully lullay

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child

By by, lully lullay

That woe is me,

Poor child for thee!

And ever morn and day,

For thy parting

Neither say nor sing

By by, lully lullay!

Lully, lulla, lully lulla

By by, lully lullay

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child

By by, lully lullay

By by, lully lullay

Lully, Lulla, Lullay - VOCES8

Twelve Days (After) Christmas

Day 4 - Silent Night

Today we have a reprise of Susan Lewis bringing us the story behind the classic Christmas carol Silent Night . . .

"It's a song about a calm, bright and silent night, and the wonder of a tender and mild newborn child; words written in 1816 by a young Austrian priest, Joseph Mohr, not long after the Napoleonic wars had taken their toll.

As the story goes, that young priest went for a walk and looked out over a very quiet, snow-laden town. That town at peace inspired him to write his verses. On Christmas Eve 1818, the now-famous carol was performed for the first time as Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht. And performing it were guitarist Joseph Mohr, the young priest who wrote the words, accompanying singer Franz Xaver Gruber, the choir director who had written the melody.

Some time later, an organ builder and repair man working at Mohr and Gruber's church (St. Nicholas in Oberndorf) took a copy of the six-verse song to his home village. There, it was picked up and spread by two families of traveling folk singers, who performed throughout northern Europe. In 1834, the Strasser family performed it for the King of Prussia. In 1839, the Rainer family of singers debuted the carol outside Trinity Church in New York City. The composition evolved, was translated into over 300 languages, and arranged for a wide variety of vocal and instrumental ensembles. It was sung in churches, town squares, and even on the battlefield during World War I. During a temporary truce in the war on Christmas Eve, soldiers sang carols from home. Silent Night (by 1914 now known round the world) was sung simultaneously in French, German and English.

Over the years, the carol's mystique grew with its popularity. After the original manuscript was lost, some speculated that the music had actually been written by Haydn, Mozart or even Beethoven. But in 1994, an original manuscript was found in Mohr's handwriting, with Gruber named as composer. Today, the Franz Xaver Gruber Museum in Hallein and the Joseph Mohr School in Wagrain, Austria honor the creators of this classic carol. The Stille Nacht Gesellschaft (The Silent Night Society) hosts a virtual Silent Night museum, tracks events, and promotes the use of all six verses, which in the words of the Silent Night Society president encourage peace and demand responsibility around the globe."

. . . and a diverse selection of covers . . . 

Silent Night - Sungha Jung (guitar)

Silent Night - Pentatonix

Silent Night - Tom Waits

Silent Night - Chet Baker

Twelve Days (After) Christmas

Day 3 - The Shepherd's Pipe Carol (John Rutter, 1966)

The Shepherd's Pipe Carol was composed by John Rutter in 1966 when he was studying as an undergraduate at Clare College at the University of Cambridge. 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 Biblical Magi. (note thanks to Wikipedia)

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 Bethlehem

Angels 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."

The Shepherd's Pipe Carol - Kings College Choir, Cambridge

Twelve Days (After) Christmas

Day 2 - Venez, Divin Messie

Venez, Divin Messie (Come, Divine Messiah) is a simple and joyful Advent song from France. It calls for the coming of Jesus, asking Him to save us from our wretchedness and to count us one day among the blessed in Heaven. Dating back to the 16th century, the song has stood the test of time and is still popular in France during Advent and Christmastime. (Note thanks to Tradition-in-Action.com)

Venez Divin Messie / Come Divine Messiah,

Sauvez nos jours infortunés / Save our unfortunate days,

Venez source de Vie / Come, source of Life,

Venez, venez, venez / Come, come, come

1. Ah. Descendez, hâtez Vos pas / Ah. Descend, hasten Thy steps;

Sauvez les hommes du trépas / Save mankind from death,

Secourez-nous, ne tardez pas / Rescue us, do not delay.

Dans une peine extrême / In an extreme pain

Gémissent nos cœurs affligés / Our afflicted hearts groan.

Venez Bonté Suprême / Come Supreme Goodness,

Venez, venez, venez / Come, come, come (Refrain)

2. Ah. Désarmez Votre courroux / Ah. Subdue Thy wrath,

Nous soupirons à Vos genoux / We sigh at Thy knees,

Seigneur nous n'espérons qu'en Vous / Lord we hope only in Thee,

Pour nous livrer la guerre / To deliver to us the war,

Tous les enfers sont déchaînés / All Hell is unleashed;

Descendez sur la terre / Descend to earth,

Venez, venez, venez / Come, come, come (Refrain)

3. Que nos soupirs soient entendus / May our sighs be heard,

Les biens que nous avons perdus / The good that we have lost,

Ne nous seront-ils point rendus / Will it not be returned to us?

Voyez couler nos larmes / See our tears streaming;

Grand Dieu, si Vous nous pardonnez / Great God, if  Thou will forgive us,

Nous n'aurons plus d'alarmes / We will have no more dismay,

Venez, venez, venez / Come, come, come (Refrain)

4. Si Vous venez en ces bas-lieux / If Thou will come to these low places,

Nous Vous verrons victorieux / We will see Thee victorious,

Fermer l'enfer, ouvrir les cieux / Closing Hell, opening Heaven,

Nous l'espérons sans cesse / We hope for it unceasingly,

Les cieux nous furent destinés / Heaven was destined for us,

Tenez votre promesse / Keep Thy promise,

Venez, venez, venez / Come, come, come (Refrain)

5. Ah. Puissions-nous chanter un jour / Ah. May we sing one day,

Dans votre bienheureuse cour / In Thy blessed court,

Et Votre gloire et Votre amour / Both Thy glory and Thy love.

C'est là l'heureux présage / This is the happy presage

De ceux que Vous prédestinez / Of Thy presdestined ones,

Donnez-nous en un gage / Give us a pledge,

Venez, venez, venez / Come, come, come (Refrain)

Venez divin Messie - Chorale Saint Ferdinand des Ternes

Twelve Days (After) Christmas

Day 1 - O magnum mysterium (Morten Lauridsen, 1994)

American composer Morten Lauridsen wrote his setting of O magnum mysterium in 1994. The text is a Gregorian chant from the Vigil on Christmas Day. Lauridsen said he was inspired by Zurbarán's painting Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose (1633), which is said to symbolize the Virgin Mary: "I wanted this piece to resonate immediately and deeply into the core of the listener, to illumine through sound." The work is "a quiet song of profound inner joy", expressing both the mystery of the Incarnation and Mary's tenderness for her child.

O magnum mysterium / O great mystery

et admirabile sacramentum / and wonderful sacrament

ut animalia viderent / that animals should see

Dominum natum / the newborn Lord

iacentem in praesepio / lying in a manger

O beata virgo, cuius viscera / O blessed virgin, whose womb

meruerunt portare / was worthy to bear

Dominum Iesum Christum / the Lord Jesus Christ

O magnum mysterium - Winchester Cathedral Choir

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Christmas Day - Mary’s Boy Child & This Day Christ Was Born

Mary’s Boy Child is a 1956 Christmas song written by Jester Hairston. The song had its genesis when a roommate of Hairston asked him to write a song for an upcoming birthday party. Hairston wrote the song with a calypso rhythm because the people at the party would be mainly West Indians. The song's original title was He Pone and Chocolate Tea (pone being a type of corn bread). It was never recorded in this form. Some time later Walter Schumann (conductor of Schumann's Hollywood Choir) asked Hairston to write a new Christmas song for his choir. Hairston remembered his calypso rhythmed song and wrote new lyrics for it. Harry Belafonte heard the song being performed by the choir and sought permission to record it. It was recorded in 1956 and released as a single that year. When the song reached No. 1, Harry Belafonte became the first black male singer to have a No. 1 hit in the United Kingdom. And it was the first song to sell 1 million copies in the UK. [note thanks to Wikipedia]

Mary’s Boy Child - Harry Belafonte

. . . and from a world away . . .

For Unto Us a Child is Born (Handel, 1741) - Warsaw Philharmonic & Choir

For unto us a child is born

Unto us a son is given

And the government shall be upon His shoulder

And His name shall be called

Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God,

The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 1 - The Shepherd’s Carol (2000)

Composer Bob Chilcott's The Shepherd's Carol was commissioned in 2000 for the televised Carols from King’s (a slightly lighter version of the august Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge) that is broadcast on the BBC on Christmas Day each year. Its text is a beautiful poem by Clive Sansom (1910-81) that narrates the experience of the shepherds, drawn by starlight to the baby Jesus. The lovely, poignant melody of folk-like simplicity is supported by languid and atmospheric harmonies. The effect is a sublime marriage of poetic imagery and music.

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.

The Shepherd’s Carol - The King's Singers

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 2 - A Couple of Not-so-Classic Christmas Songs

A note from ChipRadio:

Louis Prima's been a source of fascination for me ever since I picked up my first greatest hits compilation in high school. However, since those collections usually give the lion's share of the tracklist to his big-band and Vegas showman incarnations, I'm still pretty rusty on his pre-'40s output. At least, that's the excuse I give myself for not discovering his contribution to the Christmas canon until just this year. Recorded with his New Orleans Gang band in 1936, What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin') redirects the power of Prima's 1936 triumph Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) into a North Pole setting!

Ah, what will Santa Claus say

When he finds everybody swingin'?

What will Santa Claus say

When he hears that sing, sing, singin'?

Down the chimney, he will come

With his great big smile

And you'll find that even the kiddies

Are swingin' in the latest style

Oh, oh, oh, what is Santa bringing?

Oh, oh, oh, I wonder whether he'll be swingin'

Everywhere in the land

All the people will be singin'

Hadie, hadie, hi,  hey, hey, hey

What is Santa Clause gonna say

When he finds everybody swingin'?

What will Santa Claus say

When he finds everybody swingin'?

What will Santa Claus say

When he hears them sing, sing, singin'?

What Will Santa Claus Say - Louis Prima (1936)

What Will Santa Claus Say - Puddles Pity Party

What Will Santa Claus Say - Bad Mouse Orchestra & Moon Berries

Must Be Santa is a Christmas song written by Hal Moore and Bill Fredericks and first released in November 1960 by Mitch Miller. A contrafactum (namely, the replacing the lyrics of a song with another set of words, without any substantial change to the music) of the German drinking song Schnitzelbank, Must Be Santa is structured as a call and response, with the lead singer posing the question of who has a certain feature, with the chorus responding that Santa Claus has that said feature. After every other verse, the list of features continues to add up, followed by a chorus of "must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa Claus." In November 2009, Bob Dylan released a version of the song in a polka-meets-klezmer style (based on an arrangement by Brave Combo) for his Christmas album, Christmas in the Heart.

Who's got a beard that's long and white?

Santa's got a beard that's long and white

Who comes around on a special night?

Santa comes around on a special night

Special night – beard that's white

Must be Santa, must be Santa

Must be Santa, Santa Claus

Who wears boots and a suit of red?

Santa wears boots and a suit of red

Who wears a long cap on his head?

Santa wears a long cap on his head

Cap on head – suit that's red

Special night – beard that's white

Must be Santa, must be Santa

Must be Santa, Santa Claus

Who's got a big red cherry nose?

Santa's got a big red cherry nose

Who laughs this way: "Ho-ho-ho"?

Santa laughs this way "Ho-ho-ho"

Ho-ho-ho – cherry nose

Cap on head – suit that's red

Special night – beard that's white

Must be Santa, must be Santa

Must be Santa, Santa Claus

Who very soon will come our way?

Santa very soon will come our way

Eight little reindeers pull his sleigh

Santa's little reindeer pull his sleigh

Reindeer sleigh – come our way

Ho-ho-ho – cherry nose

Cap on head – suit that's red

Special night – beard that's white

Must be Santa, must be Santa

Must be Santa, Santa Claus

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen

Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen

Carter, Raegan, Bush, and Clinton

Reindeer sleigh – come our way

Ho-ho-ho – cherry nose

Cap on head – suit that's red

Special night – beard that's white

Must be Santa, must be Santa

Must be Santa, Santa Claus

Must be Santa, must be Santa

Must be Santa, Santa Claus

Must Be Santa - Bob Dylan

After that wild scene, I couldn't resist these . . .

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 3 - Here Comes Santa Claus

Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) is a popular Christmas song written and originally performed by Gene Autry, with music composed by Oakley Haldeman. Autry's original recording (in which he pronounces Santa Claus as "Santy Claus") was a top-10 hit on the pop and country charts in 1947; the song would go on to be covered many times in subsequent decades. Autry got the idea for the song after riding his horse in the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade (now the Hollywood Christmas Parade) in Los Angeles. As he passed by, the crowd of spectators chanted, "Here comes Santa Claus." This was the inspiration for Autry's lyrics, which Haldeman then set to music. Autry's lyrics combine two veins of the Christmas tradition: the mythology of Santa Claus, and the Christian origin of the holiday, with its mention of the nativity's promise of "Peace on Earth" to all those who "follow the light." (thanks to Wikipedia!)

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,

Right down Santa Claus lane

Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeers'

Pullin' on the reins.

Bells are ringin', children singin'

All is merry and bright

So Hang your stockings and say your prayers

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus

Right down Santa Claus lane

He's got a bag that's filled with toys

For boys and girls again

Hear those sleigh bells, jingle, jangle

Oh, what a beautiful sight

So Jump in bed, and cover your head

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus

Right down Santa Claus lane

He doesn't care if you're rich or poor

He loves you just the same

Santa Claus knows we're all God's children

That makes everything right

So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus

Right down Santa Claus lane

He'll come around when chimes ring out

That it's Christmas morn again

Peace on earth will come to all

If we just follow the light

So Let's give thanks to the Lord above

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here Comes Santa Claus - Gene Autry (1947)

Here Comes Santa Claus - The Puppini Sisters

Here Comes Santa Claus - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters (1949)

Here Comes Santa Claus - Elvis Presley (1957)

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 4 - God was Born on a Sleigh (Народи́вся Бог на са́нях)

God was born on a sleigh is a carol to the words of Bohdan-Ihor Antonych. All of Antonych's poetry is imbued with religiosity, which manifests itself through the imitation of prayer texts and the singing of biblical psalms. The carol is filled with images from the folk songs and carols of the Hutsuls, Lemkos and Boiks, in which Christmas events are transferred from the Holy Land to the region of the Carpathian Mountains, and the birth of Jesus Christ does not take place in Bethlehem, but in a poor neighborhood or "on a sleigh in the Lemki town of Dukli." Such mythologizing creates a feeling of personal involvement in events of universal significance. (From Ukrainian Wikipedia)

God was born on a sleigh

In the Lemki town of Dukli.

Lemkas in rattans [palms] came

And they brought the moon round.

God was born on a sleigh,

Lemkas in rattans came

And the round moon was brought round.

Carpenters make sledges out of silver,

A snowy path is spreading.

On that sleigh in the unknown blue

Children of God will be taken. (2X)

Carpenters make sledges out of silver,

I dream of Christmas carols.

On that sleigh the lady is clear,

Eyes like those of roe deer. (2X)

Night in a snowstorm

The roof is spinning around.

On the palms of Mary

The moon is a golden nut. (2X)

The sun rises in the sky,

A Slavic child is sleeping.

The sleigh is going, cries the Lady,

Life is covered with snow. (2X)

Carpenters make sleighs out of silver. (4X)

Christ is born! Let's praise Him!

God was Born on a Sleigh - Vasyl Zhdankin

God was Born on a Sleigh - Khrystyna Solovay and friends

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 5 - Gaudete

Gaudete is a sacred Christmas chant, thought to have been written in the 16th century. It was published in Piae Cantiones (1582), a Finnish/Swedish collection of sacred songs. No music is given for the verses, but the standard tune comes from older liturgical books. The Latin text is a typical medieval song of praise, following the standard pattern for the time – a uniform series of four line stanzas, each preceded by a two line refrain.

Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus / Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born

Ex Maria virgine, gaudete / Of the Virgin Mary, rejoice!

Tempus adest gratiæ / The time of grace has come

Hoc quod optabamus / What we have wished for

Carmina lætitiæ / Songs of joy

Devote reddamus / Let us give back faithfully

Deus homo factus est / God has become man

Natura mirante / With nature marvelling

Mundus renovatus est / The world has been renewed

A Christo regnante / By the reigning Christ

Ezechielis porta / The closed gate of Ezekiel

Clausa pertransitur / Is passed through

Unde lux est orta / Whence the light is risen

Salus invenitur / Salvation has been found

Ergo nostra contio / Therefore, let our assembly

Psallat iam in lustro / Now sing in brightness

Benedicat Domino / Let it bless the Lord

Salus Regi nostro / Greetings to our King

Gaudete - The King's Singers

 

Gaudete - Musica Ficta

Gaudete - Mediaeval Baebes

Gaudete - Choir of Clare College Cambridge & London Cello Orchestra

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 6 - Heaven and Earth (Не́бо і зе́мля)

Heaven and Earth Now Triumphant is one of Ukraine's most famous carols (колядка/kolyadka). In the carol, the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, and other events in the Christmas story are told. Variants of a similar carol are also known in Belarus and Poland. The Polish kolęda Dzisiaj w Betlejem was first printed in a 1878 hymn book.

Heaven and Earth (Не́бо і зе́мля)

Heaven and earth, Heaven and earth now triumphant,

Angels and people, Angels and people celebrate merrily.

Chorus:

Christ was born, God became incarnate,

Angels are singing, the King soars,

Bows are given, shepherds play,

"A miracle, a miracle!" they say.

Good news in Bethlehem, good news in Bethlehem

The Immaculate Virgin, the Immaculate Virgin gave birth to a Son!

Chorus

The word of the Father, word of the Father took on flesh

In the darkness of the earth, the darkness of the earth, the sun shone.

Chorus

Angels serve, angels serve their King

And in the nativity scene, the nativity scene they do His will.

Chorus

Three glorious kings, three glorious kings come from the east

Frankincense and myrrh, frankincense and myrrh and gold are brought.

Chorus

They offer it to the king and God, to the king and God

Shepherds tell the people, Shepherds tell the people everything.

Chorus

And we bow down to the born, bow down to the born God,

Glory in the highest, Glory in the highest, Let's sing to him.

Chorus

Heaven and Earth - G. Veryovki Choir

Heaven and Earth - Tina Karol

Heaven and Earth - Choir of Clergy, Odessa Diocese of the UOC

Twelve Day (Before) Christmas

Day 7 - Winter Wonderland (1934)

When we talk of Christmas carols we're most often referring to traditional songs sung in celebration of the birth of Christ. And many of the most famous Carols (English) - or Noëls (French), or Weihnachtslieder (German), or Villancicos (Spain), and even Kolędy (Poland) - are religious in nature. However, at some point in the 19th century songs began to appear that celebrated the winter holiday without any specific reference to the birth of Jesus, the star in the east, or even shepherds and their flocks. Here's a list of some of the most famous early non-religious Christmas "songs":

- O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) (German / tune: 16th century; words: 19th cent)

- Gloucestershire Wassail (traditional English; at least 1790s)

- Here We Come A-Wassailing (traditional English; at least 19th century)

- Twelve Days of Christmas (traditional English)

- Jingle Bells (1850 by James Lord Pierpont of Medford, Massachusetts)

- Deck the Halls (English / 16th century melody; text: 1862)

- Up on the Housetop (American / 1864 by Benjamin Hanby)

- Jolly Old St. Nicholas (American / words, 1865; music, 1874)

And as we can see, the last couple of songs acknowledge the less overtly religious figure of Saint Nicholas (morphing through Sinterklaas (Dutch) to Santa Claus) who was becoming more and more an integral part of the Christmas holiday celebration.

The year 1934, however, was a turning point in the evolution of the non-religious popular Christmas song. In that year, two songs appeared that have become classics of the holiday season, being covered by many, many singers who wanted to put their mark on the winter holiday musical experience.

Winter Wonderland was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard Bernhard Smith, and first recorded by Richard Himber and his Ritz-Carlton Orchestra, with vocalist Joey Nash. It has since been covered by over 200 different artists.

Winter Wonderland - Richard Himber (1934)

Two other recording that same year already show the popularity of this Christmas classic . . .

Winter Wonderland - Ted Weems (1934)

Winter Wonderland - Guy Lombardo (1934)

Winter Wonderland - The Andrews Sisters (1946)

The other song that went on to become a Christmas classic is Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, it was first recorded by Harry Reser and His Band, with vocalist Tom Stacks. When it was covered by Eddie Cantor on his radio show in November 1934 it became a hit; within 24 hours, 500,000 copies of sheet music and more than 30,000 records were sold. Another version by George Hall and His Orchestra, with vocalist Sonny Schuyler (for Bluebird Records) was very popular in 1934 and reached the various charts of the day. Like Winter Wonderland, Santa Claus is Coming to Town has been recorded by over 200 artists.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town - Harry Reser (1934)

Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town - Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters (1943)

Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town - Frank Sinatra and Seal (1948/2017)

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 8 - Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle (Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella)

Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle originated from the Provence region of France in the 17th century. The carol first appeared in print in 1688 with the Provençal text Venès lèu, Vèire la piéucello; Venès lèu, Genti pastourèu! (Come on, see the Virgin; Come on, gentle shepherds!) in a collection of twelve Provençal noëls by Nicolas Saboly. The popularity of the melody is attested to by its use four years later by Marc-Antoine Charpentier for the drinking song, Qu'ils sont doux, bouteille jolie in a 1672 revival of Molière's Le médecin malgré lui. And to this day on Christmas Eve in Provence, children dress as shepherds and milkmaids, bringing torches and candles while singing the carol on their way to Midnight Mass.

Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle

       / Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Un flambeau! Courons au berceau

       / Bring a torch to the stable call

C'est Jésus, bonnes gens du hameau

       / Christ is born, tell the folk of the village

Le Christ est né; Marie appelle

       / Jesus is born, and Mary's calling

Ah! Ah! Que la Mère est belle

       / Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the Mother

Ah! Ah! Que l'Enfant est beau

       / Ah! Ah! Beautiful is her Son

Qui vient là, frappant de la sorte

       / Who is that, knocking on the door

Qui vient là, en frappant comme ça

       / Who is it, knocking like that

Ouvrez-donc, j'ai posé sur un plat 

       / Open up, we've arranged on a platter

De bons gâteaux, qu'ici j'apporte

       / Lovely cakes that we have brought here

Toc! Toc! Ouvrons-nous la porte

       / Knock! Knock! Open the door for us

Toc! Toc! Faisons grand gala

       / Knock! Knock! Let's celebrate

C'est un tort, quand l'Enfant sommeille

       / It is wrong when the Child is sleeping

C'est un tort de crier si fort

       / It is wrong to talk so loud

Taisez-vous, l'un et l'autre, d'abord

       / Silence, now, as you gather around

Au moindre bruit, Jésus s'éveille

       / Lest your noise should waken Jesus

Chut! chut! Il dort à merveille

       / Hush! Hush! See how He slumbers

Chut! chut! Voyez comme il dort

       / Hush! Hush! See how fast He sleeps

Doucement, dans l'étable close

       / Softly now unto the stable

Doucement, venez un moment

       / Softly for a moment come

Approchez! Que Jésus est charmant

       / Look and see how charming is Jesus

Comme il est blanc! Comme il est rose

       / Look at Him there, His cheeks are rosy

Do! Do! Que l'Enfant repose

       / Hush! Hush! See how the Child is sleeping

Do! Do! Qu'il rit en dormant

       / Hush! Hush! See how He smiles in His dreams

Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle - TENET Vocal Artists

(the carol begins at 1:24)

Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle - Stephen Hatfield / The Thirteen

Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella - Jon's Ukulele

Twelve Day (Before) Christmas

Day 9 - Good evening to you, Mr. Master (Добрий вечір тобі пане господарю)

We're bringing back a favorite Ukrainian Christmas carol (koliadky) that we featured just last year - Good evening to you, Mr. Master. But now we have a number of versions to enjoy. Carolers travel from house to house and sing for those who come to the door, hoping to get a Christmas treat to help them on their way to the next stop. щасливого Різдва! (shchaslyvoho Rizdva/Merry Christmas)

Good evening to you, master: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

Cover the tables with carpets: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

But put the kalachi from spring wheat: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

Because three holidays will come to visit you: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

And what is the first holiday - Holy Christmas: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

And the second holiday - Saint Basil: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

And the third holiday is Holy Epiphany: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

And that the first holiday will bring you comfort: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

And that the second holiday will bring you happiness: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

And that the third holiday will send fate to all of us: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

Send fate to all of us, Ukraine will: rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, earth, the Son of God was born!

Good evening to you, Mr. Master - Piccardian Tertiary

Good evening to you, Mr. Master - Veryovka Choir (1954)

Good evening to you, Mr. Master - Orthodox Church of Ukraine

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 10 - Nous étions trois bergerettes (We Were Three Young Shepherdesses)

I couldn't find much background information on this traditional Noël français (French carol). What I did find very interesting, and it's something I never knew, is that the state of Maine got its name from one of the traditional provinces in France! And this Noël contains words that come from Angevin, one of the traditional languages of France. In Anjou, one of the historic provinces in western France, Angevin is the traditional language. Angevin was also spoken in the neighboring regions of Pays Nantais (and Gallo), Maine ( and Mayennois) and Touraine ( and Tourangeau). As an oïl language (or dialect) it shares many common features with French vocabulary, phonemes and daily expressions. And Le Mans, the principal city of the historic province of Maine, was the stage for struggles in the eleventh century between the counts of Anjou and the dukes of Normandy. Maybe this will come up on Jeopardy?

Nous étions trois bergerettes / We were three young shepherdesses

Auprès d'un petit ruisseau / Near a little brook

En gardant nos brebiettes / We were tending our little ewes

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau* / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Qui paissaient dans le préau / That were grazing in the small meadow

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

[* Nau in Anjou dialect means Christmas; Naulet is diminutive]

En gardant nos brebiettes / We were tending our little ewes

Auprès d'un petit ruisseau / Near a little brook

Nous vîmes voler un ange / We saw an angel flying

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Plus reluisant qu'un flambeau / Shining more than a torch

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

Nous vîmes voler un ange / We saw an angel flying

Plus reluisant qu'un flambeau / Shining more than a torch

Qui donnant à Dieu louange / Who, praising God

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Chantait ce bel air nouveau / Singing this new, beautiful tune

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

Qui donnant à Dieu louange / Who, praising God

Chantait ce bel air nouveau / Singing this new, beautiful tune

Le Rédempteur vient de naître / The Redeemer was just born

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Plus doux qu'un petit agneau / Sweeter than a little lamb

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

Robin a pris des sonnettes / Robin took his little bells

Et Colin son chalumeau / And Colin his pipe

Dîmes maintes chansonnettes / We recited many ditties

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Des plus belles du monceau / From the prettiest of the lot

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

Dieu sait comme nous dansâmes / God knows how much we danced

À l'entour de son berceau / Around his crib

Puis nous nous en retournâmes / Then each of us went back

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Chacune vers son troupeau / Each to their flock

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

Pour l’enfant qui vient de naître / For the child who has just been born

Plus doux qu’un petit agneau / Sweeter than a little lamb

Laisse là tes brebis paître / Let your sheep graze there

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Va-t-en le voir, pastoureau / Go see Him, shepherd

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

Le Rédempteur vient de naître / The Redeemer has just been born

Plus doux qu'un petit agneau / Sweeter than a little lamb

Laissez-là vos brebis paître / Let your sheep graze there

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Allez voir comme il est beau / Go see how beautiful He is

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

Il est né dans une étable / He was born in a stable

Où b'y a ni lit, ni berceau / Where there is neither bed nor cradle

Sa mère vierge admirable / His admirable Virgin Mother

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

L'emmaillotte d'un drapeau / Swaddle in a diaper

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

O quelle douce merveille / O what a sweet wonder

O agréable enfanteau / O pleasant Child

Jamais en jour de ma vie / Never in a day of my life

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Je ne vis enfant si beau / I never saw such a beautiful Child

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

Robin a pris des sonnettes / Robin took some bells

Et Colas son chalumeau / And Colas his blowtorch

Dîmes maintes chansonnettes / Tithe many songs

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Des plus belles du monceau / Of the most beautiful of the heap

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

Dieu sait comme nous dansâmes / God knows how we danced

A l'entour du berceau / Around the cradle

De là nous nous retournâmes / From there we turned around

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau / Christmas, Christmas . . .

Chacun vers son troupeau / Each towards his flock

Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.

There are many fine performances available online of this beautiful carol. Here are a few of my favorites:

Nous étions trois bergerettes - Alix Quoniam

. . . a solo version of the carol

Nous étions trois bergerettes - Helene Baillargeon

. . . a very folk-like version

Nous étions trois bergerettes - l'Ensemble Vocal du Pays de Liège

Nous étions trois bergerettes - The Zurich Chamber Singers

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 11 - A New Joy Has Been Revealed (Но́ва ра́дість ста́ла)

A New Joy Has Been Revealed is one of the most famous Ukrainian carols. It is a vivid example of the close combination of religious and folk carol traditions. 

A new joy has been revealed,
That never has been before,
Above the manger there's a bright star
Shining throughout the whole world.
 
Where Christ has been born,
From the Virgin incarnate,
Like one swaddled in diapers
A pauper born.
The shepherds with their lambs
Before that holy child
Fall down upon their knees,
The King and God they praise Him.
 
Oh you King, oh King,
Heavenly soverign Power,
Grant years of good fortune
To this home and farmland.
 
To this home and farmland
And to her mistress,
Grant years of good fortune
To our glorious Ukraine.
 
We ask of Thee, Oh King,
We ask Thee at this moment,
Do grant freedom, fortune, and a good fate
To our mother Ukraine!

A New Joy Has Been Revealed - Volyn Folk Choir

A New Joy Has Been Revealed - Vodogray Studio

A New Joy Has Been Revealed - Metropolitan Epiphany

Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

With our first snow of the year now fading (or faded!), we edge ever closer to the Christmas season of 2023! This Twelve Days series will feature noëls from the French and Ukrainian traditions, interspersed with glorious contemporary choral works and a few popular favorites (and not so favorites) in performances that shine with the glow of the holiday. Enjoy!

Day 12 - Veni, Veni Emmanuel (O Come, O Come Emmanuel) is a centuries-old carol with a rich history. Its text dates back to at least the 8th century, and its alluring melody stands out as one of the oldest French Christmas melodies. Written by a priest with a deep understanding of the bible, the Latin verses portray the full story of the birth of the Messiah, originally intended to be sung over the course of seven days, one verse per day. A published latin version did not appear until 1710, and the English version that many know today (by John Mason Neale) was not published until 1861 in the hymnal, Hymns Ancient and Modern. 

1. Veni, veni Emmanuel / O come, O come, Emmanuel
Captivum solve Israel / And ransom captive Israel
Qui gemit in exilio / That mourns in lonely exile here
Privatus Dei Filio / Until the Son of God appear

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel / Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
nascetur pro te, Israel / Shall come to thee, O Israel

2. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save,

And give them victory o'er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

3. O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer,

Our Spirits by Thine Advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

4. O come, Thou Key of David, come

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

5. O come, O come, thou Lord of Might

Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,

In ancient times didst give the law,

In cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Here are a number of versions of this classic - out of the many, many that have been recorded. First, a Gregorian chant version posted by Verbum Gloriae

Veni, Veni Emmanuel (O Come, O Come Emmanuel) - Verbum Gloriae

And two contemporary arrangements . . .

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (arr. by Rugen) - Solis Camerata

O Come, O Come Emmanuel - The Gesualdo Six