Christmas Music
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Traditional Carols (New Melodies!)
Away In A Manger
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The lyrics of the beloved carol “Away In A Manger” were originally thought to have been written by Martin Luther, but scholars now assert that its origin is actually from 19th century America. Arnold Harris has written a new and sweet melody, reflecting the “cradle song” lyrics. The middle section, with its staggered entrances, mirrors the many voices of those viewing the baby Jesus in the manger.
Deck The Halls
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The well-known melody of “Deck The Halls” is thought to be a Welsh tune from the 16th century. The beloved English lyrics were written by a Scottish musician, Thomas Oliphant, and appeared first in1862. Arnold Harris has taken this famous melody and its “fa la la la la” refrain and added syncopations and off beat entrances that reverberate between the choral sections and give the piece a new pulsing energy.
The 3rd verse is in a different key and slower tempo setting the stage for a rollicking return to the 1st verse at the original speed. Your chorus and audience will certainly enjoy this new and vibrant setting of this cherished carol.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
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“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is one of the oldest of traditional English Christmas carols, dating from over 500 years ago. Arnold Harris has written a new, more thoughtful and slower melody and set it as an a cappella SATB arrangement. The more upbeat chorus reflects the “tidings of comfort and joy” so associated with Christmas.
Good King Wenceslas
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“Good King Wenceslas” became popular in England in the 19th century, telling the story of a medieval saint, Wenceslas I, who lived in the 10th century in Bohemia. Arnold Harris has created a thoughtful and more pensive new melody, to give a different feel to these well-known lyrics and a new perspective on this ancient “good” king.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
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The lyrics of “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day” were written during the Civil War by the famous American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His incessant wish for “Peace on earth good will to men” reflects his, and the whole country’s anxieties in a time of war, especially while entering the joyful Christmas season. Arnold Harris’ new melody and setting for these words has two contrasting sections, each in a different meter and mood.
I Saw Three Ships
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“I Saw Three Ships” is one of many 19th century traditional Christmas carols that come from England. Arnold Harris’ new vigorous melody gives a sense of the excitement at the docks as everyone exclaims that they “saw” the three ships. The arrangement features each vocal part having the melody and also the opportunity to sing the counter melody. There are optional solos for baritone and soprano.
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
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The lyrics for “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” were written by Emily Huntington Miller. Her poem with this title was published in 1865 in the “Little Corporal Magazine” under the title of “Lilly’s Secret”. Arnold Harris has written a new and lilting melody that accentuates the fun aspects of the lyrics’ view of a child wondering about the mystery and “secret” of how Santa will come with his bag of gifts. His arrangement highlights the “secret” of the lyric’s “don’t you tell a single soul, what I’m going to say” with dynamic contrasts of piano and forte.
Joy To The World
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Joy To The World was written by the English minister Isaac Watts (1674-1748), a writer of many Christian hymns. Watts borrowed phrases from the from the Book of Psalms and from both the Old and New Testaments. Arnold Harris has written a new and upbeat melody for these beloved lyrics and created an arrangement that features contrasting sections with the chorus singing both unaccompanied and accompanied by a vibrant piano.
O Come All Ye Faithful
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O Come All Ye Faithful is among the most famous of all Christmas Carols. The text is attributed to many authors from the 13th through the 18th centuries.
Arnold Harris has composed new music for these beloved words accentuating the command “O Come”, which is the central motif of the lyrics. Each section, or a soloist from a section, has a turn in stating this phrase with a solo which is then echoed by the rest of the chorus. There are also shifts in meter and dynamics to accentuate the powerful text.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
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Phillip Brooks, a 19th century Episcopal priest in Philadelphia, wrote “O Little Town of Bethlehem” reflecting on his earlier visit to that city in the Holy Land. Arnold Harris has written a new melody and arrangement with a slow, relaxed and rhythmic “rock” feel, propelled by the bass line in the piano.
Silent Night
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Arnold Harris gives Silent Night, among the most well known of Christmas carols, a totally fresh musical setting. Reflecting the lyrics’ reference to“peace” and “sleep” and “heaven” among other terms, Harris creates a gentle and thoughtful SATB a cappella setting
The First Noel
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The origin of the lyrics of this famous English Christmas carol is not exactly known. It possibly dates as far back as the 16th century. In Arnold Harris’ new melody and arrangement there is a constant interchange between the male and female voices, gently moving with a rhythmic flow.
The Holly and the Ivy
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This traditional English carol from the 19th century celebrates the British tradition of using the contrasting beauty of the holly and ivy in their holiday decorations. Arnold Harris’ arrangement augments the beauty of the lyrics with a graceful and flowing melody.
We Three Kings
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This famous American carol from the 19th century was written by John Henry Hopkins (1820-1891), an Episcopal bishop. Arnold Harris sets a mood of adventuresome traveling for the three Kings as they head off on their journey bearing gifts to the baby Jesus. His new melody creates the sense of a caravan moving steadily and rhythmically across vast spaces.
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
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The origins of the lyrics for “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” are unclear, possibly dating back to the 16th century. The version familiar today comes from the “jocular” or fun British tradition of groups of friends going around the neighborhood singing carols and asking for, and expecting, a treat possibly “figgy pudding”, as reward for their singing.
Arnold Harris has written a new and vigorous melody emphasizing the words “we wish”, as they echo through the choral sections. The refrain is in cut time and the verses in 5/4 time, adding interest and more fun for the singers, and an aural treat for the audience.
Traditional Spanish Carols (Villancicos)
¡Ale Pún!
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This villancico (Christmas carol) from Andalucia in Spain recounts Mary’s journey to a dark mountain. Your chorus will have fun singing the well-known refrain, “¡Ale pún!”, in Arnold Harris’ exciting arrangement.
¡Ay, del Chiquirritin!
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“¡Ay! del Chiquirritin” recounts of Jesus, tucked in the hay in the stable, with Mary, Joseph and the humble animals all around. Your singers and audiences will enjoy Arnold Harris’ upbeat arrangement of this classic villancico from Andalucia.
Duermete Niño Lindo
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This beautiful Mexican Christmas carol is a lilting lullaby to the baby Jesus. Arnold Harris has written a flowing arrangement, with lilting echoes of the refrain, “a la ru, a la me”.
La Noragüena
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“La Noragüena” is a Spanish villancico from Extremadura, the area of southwestern Spain, known for its historical sites, architecture, natural beauty & wildlife. The changes of meter and key between chorus and verse are highlighted in Arnold Harris’ intriguing setting.
La Serrana de la Sierra
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Arnold Harris has set this well-known Spanish villancico in the Flamenco style, with exciting hand clapping passages to embellish the fun arrangement.
Los Pastores Que Supieron
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The excitement of the visiting shepherds is palpable as they learn of the birth of Jesus. Arnold Harris’ setting of this famous Castilian villancico reflects the joy of their discovery.
Los Peces en el Rio
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Even the fish are aware of the birth of Jesus and surround Mary as she ventures into the river. Arnold Harris has captured the flavor of this wonderful villancico from Spain.
Barbershop Arrangements
Bring A Torch Jeannette Isabella
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“Bring A Torch Jeannette Isabella”, the well-known French carol from the 17th century, has maintained its popularity due to the graceful, lilting dance-like character of the tune itself. Arnold Harris has set this famous melody in the Barbershop style featuring a call and response introduction and a meditative repetition of “How lovely is the Child” as TAG.
Gloucestershire Wassail
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The rousing traditional English carol, “Gloucestershire Wassail”, first published in 1813, tells of a happy group of carolers wandering through town expecting good refreshment, food and cheer in return for their exciting singing. This fun Barbershop setting by Arnold Harris reflects the joy of caroling and ends with repetition of the word “wassail” the liquid refreshment most desired by the singers!
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
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“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” is a 19th century American carol written by Edmund Sears a Massachusetts minister to a tune composed by fellow Massachusetts native, Richard Storrs. Arnold Harris’ Barbershop setting brings new life and flexibility to this beloved Christmas carol.
Catalan
El Cant Dels Ocells
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El Cant dels Ocells is a traditional Catalan Christmas song. It was made famous outside of Catalonia when the world famous virtuoso Catalan cellist, Pablo Casals, performed it in the United Nations in 1971. Because of Casal’s rendition, it has taken its place in Catalonia as a song of peace throughout the year. The lyrics tell of how happy the birds were to learn of the birth of Jesus. Arnold Harris’ arrangement mimics the joyful call of these birds in the introduction and coda of this a cappella setting.
El Noi de la Mare
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El Noi de la Mare is a traditional Nadala (Christmas Carol) from Catalonia, in northeastern Spain, south of the Pyranees mountains, where Barcelona is the major city. El Noi is in Catalan, the beautiful language of Catalonia, and is one of the most popular nadalas. Its lyrics tell of visitors to the baby Jesus deliberating on what to bring him – raisins, figs or olives to name a few. “Tam-pa-tam-tam”, the sounds of drums, is an important part of this song. Arnold Harris has integrated those words throughout and added a hand clapping solo as introduction and ending to the music.