The carol People, Look East was written by Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), and first published as Carol of Advent in the section "Modern Texts Written for or Adapted to Traditional Tunes" of The Oxford Book of Carols (1928). Farjeon, a native of London, was a devout Catholic who viewed her faith as "a progression toward which her spiritual life moved, rather than a conversion experience." She achieved acclaim as an author of children's nursery rhymes and singing games, and is best remembered for her poem Morning Has Broken. People, Look East is sung to the ancient tune Besançon, named after the city in eastern France. Besançon first appeared in print in Christmas Carols New and Old (1871) as the setting for Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep, the English language version of the traditional French carol Berger, Secoue Ton Sommeil Profond. And in that collection the tune Besançon was entitled Chantons bargiés, noué, noué.
People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.
Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
One more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the rose, is on the way.
Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
Guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen
God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the bird, is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the star, is on the way.
Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
[or . . . Angels announce to man and beast]
Christ who brings new life to earth.
[. . . Him who cometh from the East]
Set every peak and valley humming
With the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
People, Look East - Atlanta Master Chorale (arr. by Malcom Archer)
People, Look East - Houston Chamber Choir (arr. Barry Ferguson)
People, Look East - Boy Choristers of Ely Cathedral Choir (arr. Paul Trepte) - a modern version
Shepherds! Shake off your drowsy sleep,
Rise and leave your silly sheep;
Angels from heaven loud are singing;
Tidings of great joy are bringing.
Refrain: Shepherds! The chorus come and swell!
Sing Noel! Sing Noel!
Hark? Even now the bells ring round,
Listen to their merry sound;
Hark! How the birds new songs are making
As if the winter's chains were breaking. Refrain
Cometh at length the age of peace,
Strife and sorrow now shall cease;
Prophets foretold the wondrous story
Of this Heaven-born Prince of Glory. Refrain
Shepherds! Then up and quick away,
Seek the Babe ere break of day;
He is the hope of every nation,
All in Him shall find salvation. Refrain
Shepherds Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep - Royal Choral Society
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