Favorite Songs sung at Christmas

[Covenanter]

I think this is one of the most beautiful of all carols.

Bethlehem Down.

The poet, Bruce Blunt, lived in my home county, Hampshire. Downs are the beautiful sheep-grazed rounded hills of southern England. The music is by Philip Heseltine.

1
When he is King we will give him the Kings’ gifts,
Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown,
Beautiful robes,” said the young girl to Joseph,
Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down.
2
Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight —
Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold,
Mary for sleep, and for lullaby music
Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.
3
When he is King they will clothe him in grave-sheets,
Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown,
He that lies now in the white arms of Mary,
Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down.
4
Here he has peace and a short while for dreaming,
Close-huddled oxen to keep him from cold,
Mary for love, and for lullaby music
Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.​

It's still in copyright, but in v3 - "thorns for a crown" & "warm arms of Mary" would be better.

I've added two verses to complete the carol -

5
Jesus is King & he calls us to follow;
calls us to love him whose nature is love;
walk in his steps on the heavenward journey;
live our new life till he calls us above.
6
Jesus the King will return in his glory;
we will shine with him as stars in his crown;
new earth & heaven perfecting the story;
share in the wonder of Bethlehem Down.


​

 

[church mouse guy]

It's still in copyright, but in v3 - "thorns for a crown" & "warm arms of Mary" would be better.

I've added two verses to complete the carol -

5
Jesus is King & he calls us to follow;
calls us to love him whose nature is love;
walk in his steps on the heavenward journey;
live our new life till he calls us above.
6
Jesus the King will return in his glory;
we will shine with him as stars in his crown;
new earth & heaven perfecting the story;
share in the wonder of Bethlehem Down.


​

Do you like this one from you-all? (Once in Royal David's City)

 

[Covenanter]

Do you like this one from you-all? (Once in Royal David's City)

Beautiful. That "Festival of 9 lessons & carols" has been running for 100 years. Our senior school did a version of it, always beginning with the treble solo.

We had our local (Anglican) church carol service on Monday, with 3 choirs & children soloists. The local primary & secondary schools & the community choir I sing with. The church was full for the occasion.

 

[Jerome]

O Holy Night

from 1974, Diahann Carroll [ † Oct. 4, 2019 ]

at 01:15

 

[church mouse guy]

from 1974, Diahann Carroll [ † Oct. 4, 2019 ]

at 01:15

Merry Christmas!

Thanks! Back in the days of the Korean War and afterwards, this was one of the most moving carols that one could hear on the radio. We didn't have TV until about 1953 and then there was only one station at first and you had to have an antenna on the roof with a motor to turn it to catch the signal. It came on late in the day and went off early--I can't remember exactly.

 

[church mouse guy]

Christmas in Indiana