Christmas Carol (3) - Gaudete

Departing from the commercial songs for Christmas, this 16C piece written in Latin using the traditional approach of a uniform series of four-line stanzas, each preceded by a two-line refrain. This song was considered a sacred piece due to the content of Virgin Mary and the Christmastide content.

This piece is a very addictive piece where the tune is so easily picked up and it stay round and round in your head for hours. The right way to sing this otherwise boring short piece is to inject energy and vigour into the refrain. Such a rendition would pick up not only the speed but the mood as well.

This version below is another rendition that uses a quiet, angelic approach with this British Children's Choir.

Latin
Refrain:
Gaudete! gaudete!
Christus est natus ex Maria virgine,
gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiae, hoe quod optabamus;
carmina laetitiae devote reddamus.
Deus homo factus est, natura mirante;
mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante.
Ezecaelis orta clausa per transistur;
unde lux est orta, salus invenitur.
Ergo nostra contio psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino; salus regi nostro.

Translation
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Christ is born of the Virgin Mary,
Rejoice!

At this time of grace and longed-for blessing,
Love faithfully offers a song of praise.
God is made human in this wonderful birth:
The world is cleansed through the rule of Christ.
The gate of heaven now opens which to us was closed,
Sending forth transforming light through which holiness is found.
Therefore we meet in pure songs of joy;
We bless the Lord, King of our Salvation.

Christmas Carol (2) - 12 Days of Christmas

It is interesting how a traditional English Madrigal (some claims it is actually French) can evolved over the centuries. I believe this is a light piece that depicts the Twelve Days of Christmas are the festive days beginning Christmas Day to Twelve-tide (5 January).

It is a cummulative song that builts on top of the previous verses. There are twelve verses, each describing a gift given by "my true love" on one of the twelve days of Christmas. As variations built up over the piece, it is thus necessary for the time signature NOT to be consistent, and that's why it can be a really fun piece to do if you add in your creativity, as with the example below. This is one of the most outstanding performance of this traditional carol.

Christmas Carol (1) - Sleigh Ride

A popular light orchestral piece composed by Leroy Anderson in 1948.

Although "Sleigh Ride" is often associated with Christmas, there were doubts whether it was originally meant for Christmas. Apparently, the mention of "pumpkin pie" in the last verse might suggest Thanksgiving instead?

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring ting tingling too.
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.

Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling 'Yoo-hoo.'
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
Let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
It's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song
Of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
Like two birds of a feather would be.

Let's take that road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party
At the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs
We love to sing without a single stop,
At the fireplace while we watch
The chestnuts pop.
Pop pop pop.
 

There's a happy feeling
Nothing in the world can buy,
When they pass around the chocolate
And the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print
By Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives.

Medival Period - Benedicamus Domino

This is an excellent example of a medival piece that uses the Dorian mode of composition. This is a monophonic plainsong, which was then used as a Cantus Firmus for polyphonic arrangements.

This recent recording and arrangement of this piece in 4 voices, each imitating one another at different timings. Great arrangements, truly angelic!