Here are six recordings I made this month to celebrate the season and share with family and friends. I hope that everyone has a nice holiday season this year, and that you’ll enjoy these pieces.
Savior of the Nations, Come
Based on the hymn tune “Nun komm der heiden heiland“, with the original text by St. Ambrose written nearly 1800 years ago. This rendition features virtual stringed instruments, first exposing the hymn tune with a simple acoustic guitar, followed by the Pachelbel setting of the tune using a bouzouki, an oud, and an acoustic guitar.
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. Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child of the virgin undefiled! Though by all the world disowned, still to be in heaven enthroned. Brightly doth Thy manger shine, glorious is its light divine. Let not sin overcloud this light, ever be our faith thus bright. Praise to God the Father sing, Praise to God the Son, our King, Praise to God the Spirit be, ever and eternally.
The Holly and The Ivy
An old English carol, filled with symbolic lyrics that I’ll leave you to read about here. This arrangment features a classic setting of a pipe organ accompanying a brass choir.
The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown, of all the trees that are in the wood the holly bears the crown. Refrain: The rising of the sun and the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir. The holly bears a blossom, white as the lily flower, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,to be our sweet Saviour. (Refrain) The holly bears a berry, as red as any blood, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good. (Refrain) The holly bears a prickle, as sharp as any thorn, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas day in the morn. (Refrain)
I Wonder As I Wander
Known as the Appalachian Carol, this performance features a virtual nylon guiter, accompanying a virtual duduk (a Turkish wind instrument) and a panflute.
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die for poor ordinary people like you and like I. I wonder as I wander, out under the sky. When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cow's stall with wise men and farmers and shepherd and all. But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall, and the promise of ages it did then recall. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing, or all of God's angels in heaven for to sing, he surely could have it, 'cause he was the King. I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die for poor ordinary people like you and like I. I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
Still, Still, Still
Many know this Austrian Christmas carol and lullaby. The melody is a folk tune from 1865. This performance of a David Paxton arrangement is simple yet touching.
Still, still, still, one can hear the falling snow. For all is hushed, the world is sleeping, Holy Star its vigil keeping. Still, still, still, one can hear the falling snow. Sleep, sleep, sleep,'tis the eve of our Saviour's birth. The night is peaceful all around you, close your eyes, let sleep surround you. Sleep, sleep, sleep,'tis the eve of our Saviour's birth. Dream, dream, dream, of the joyous day to come. While guardian angels without number, Watch you as you sweetly slumber. Dream, dream, dream, of the joyous day to come.
What Child Is This? and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Such a nice setting by Mary MacDonald. This performance pairs the classic JS Bach tune with the carol based on Greensleeves, with a virtual acoustic guitar accompanying a tin whistle.
Jesu, joy of man's desiring, holy wisdom, love most bright, drawn by thee, our souls aspiring, soar to uncreated light! --- What child is this who laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping, whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.
On Christmas Night All Christians Sing
Also known as the “Sussex Carol”, from the 17th century. This rendition invokes a small orchestra, with string, winds, brass, and chimes.
On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring, On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring, News of great joy, news of great mirth, news of our merciful King’s birth. When sin departs before his grace, then life and health come in its place, When sin departs before his grace, then life and health come in its place; Angels and saints with joy may sing, all for to see the newborn King. All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night, All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night: “Glory to God and peace to men, now and forevermore. Amen."