For three years now, I’ve been recording fun and hopefully interesting arrangements of Christmas music, some you know and likely some you haven’t. The music selected this year is probably more of the latter, and arranged to be relaxing, perfect for that cup of coffee on Christmas morn. I hope you find it enjoyable!
Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland
This is the Buxtehude arrangement of chorale written in 1524. The name literally translated means “Now come, Savior of the heathen”. You may find this in a hymnal somewhere, most likely an older edition. This pondering but simple arrangement features an Irish harp for the melody accompanied by a guitar.
“Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland,
der Jungfrauen Kind erkannt,
dass sich wunder alle Welt,
Gott solch Geburt ihm bestellt.”
Savior of the nations, come;
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.
“Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland”
Une Jeune Pucelle
or, “The Young Maiden”, a 16th century French song with the lyrics based on the Annunciation, the encounter between Mary and the angel Gabriel. This arrangement has five sections, in a classic theme and variations styling, featuring various stringed instruments including guitars, ukelele, mandolin, and stringed bass.
“Une jeune pucelle de noble cœur,
Priant en sa chambrette son Créateur.
L’ange du Ciel descendant sur la terre
Lui conta le mystère de notre Salvateur.
La pucelle esbahie de ceste voix,
Elle se peint à dire pour ceste fois:
Comment pourra s’accomplir telle affaire?
Car jamais n’eus affaire à nul homme qui soyt.“
A young maid with a noble heart,
praying to her Creator in her chamber.
The angel, descending from heaven to earth,
told her the mystery of our Saviour.
The maid, astonished at this voice,
was moved to say at this point:
‘How can such a thing be accomplished?
For never did I have converse with any man at all.’
“Une Jeune Pucelle”
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine
You’ve probably seen this in a hymn book or two, being a modern version of a 15th century German carol “Joseph, lieber Joseph mein”. I found it interesting that the original tune was attached to a well-known Latin carol “Resonet in laudibus”, a version of which appears below. This arrangement features a nylon-stringed guitar with ocarina and English horn on the melodies.
“Joseph, Dearest Joseph mine,
Help me cradle the Child divine.
God reward thee and all that’s thine,
In paradise,” so prays the mother Mary.
Chorus:
He came among us at Christmas time
At Christmas time in Bethlehem
Men shall bring him from far and wide,
Love’s diadem
Jesus, Jesus;
Lo, he comes and loves and
saves and frees us.
“Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine”
Resonet in Laudibus
“Resonet in laudibus” is Latin for “Resound in praises”. It is a 14th-century Christmas carol which was well-known in medieval Europe. According to one Georg Witzel, a contemporary of Martin Luther, the carol was “one of the chief Christmas songs of joy” at the time. This arrangement sounds quite medieval to me, with plucked strings, flutes, reeds, and rhythmic instruments.
“Resonet in laudibus
cum jucundis plausibus
Sion cum fidelibus:
apparuit quem genuit Maria.”
Let praises resound
with joyous acclaim:
To Zion’s faithful
the child born of Mary has appeared.
“Resonet in Laudibus”
Chant de Noël
French for “Christmas Carol”, this piece was written by Johann Pachelbel (of the famous canon that bears his name). I was unable to find lyrics for this piece, perhaps there aren’t any. This arrangement features various woodwinds: a flute, clarinet, English horn, and a bassoon in a two-part pastorale and fugue.
“Chant de Noël”
Candlemas Eve Carol
In Western society we don’t usually celebrate Candlemas, but elsewhere it is a later part of the Christmas season and for many, it is the time to take down Christmas decorations. Candlemas is based upon the account of the presentation of Jesus, and falls on February 2, which is the 40th day of and the conclusion of the Christmas–Epiphany season.
“Down with the rosemary and bays,
Down with the mistletoe,
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener box, for show.
Refrain:
Thus times and seasons oft do shift;
each thing his turn doth hold;
New thoughts and things now do succeed,
as former things grow old.“
“Candlemas Eve Carol”