Subtitled a “Choral Fantasy on Old Carols,” Holst seamlessly weaves together four well-known Christmas tunes in this beloved English classic. The organ boldly announces the introduction of each carol, distinct with its own melody, rhythm and character. As the piece unfolds, Holst develops the tunes through competing voicings, exquisite harmonizations and unexpected combinations as we travel along winding musical roads towards an almost overwhelming, celebratory climax. Afterwards, he masterfully guides us out of the musical woods back to where we first began.
In order of appearance, the four carols are:
- Good Christian Men, Rejoice (English translation of “In dulci jubilo”)
- God rest you merry, gentlemen
- Come ye lofty, come ye lowly
- The First Nowell
(First Carol)
Good Christian men, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News! Jesus Christ is born today:
Ox and ass before him bow,
And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
(Second Carol)
God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from woe and sin,
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
In Bethlehem, in Jewry,
This blessed babe was born,
And laid within a manger,
Upon that holy morn;
The which His Mother, Mary,
Did nothing take in scorn.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
(First Carol)
Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this.
He hath oped the heav’nly door,
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this.
(Third Carol)
Come ye lofty, come ye lowly,
Let your songs of gladness ring;
In a stable lies the Holy,
In a manger rests the King:
See in Mary’s arms reposing,
Christ by highest heav’n adored:
Come, your circle round him closing,
Pious hearts that love the Lord.
(Fourth Carol; sung simultaneously with the Third)
The first Nowell, the angels did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay, Keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.
(Third Carol; sung simultaneously with the Fourth)
Come, ye poor, no pomp of station
Robes the Child your hearts adore.
He, the Lord of all salvation,
Shares your want, is weak and poor.
Oxen, round about behold them;
Rafters naked, cold and bare,
See the shepherds, God has told them
That the Prince of Life lies there.
Come ye children, blithe and merry,
This one Child your model make;
Christmas holly, leaf, and berry,
All be prized for His dear sake;
Come, ye gentle hearts, and tender,
come, ye spirits, keen and bold;
All in all your homage render,
Weak and mighty, young and old.
High above a star is shining,
And the wisemen haste from far:
Come glad hearts and spirits pining:
For you all has ris’n the star.
Let us bring our poor oblations,
Thanks and love and faith and praise:
Come, ye people, come ye nations,
all in all draw nigh to gaze.
(First Carol)
Good Christian men, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
News! News! Jesus Christ is born today:
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this.
He hath oped the heav’nly door,
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this.
(Second Carol; sung simultaneously with the Fourth)
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All Israel, Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
(First Carol)
Good Christian men rejoice,
With heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all,
To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save.