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Home , Angelus ad virginem, The Holly and the Ivy

Egham Choral Concert 2020

Performing with Covid-19 restrictions, Egham Choral presents Wassail!, settings of festive songs by Alexander L'Estrange. Rehearsals were limited this term but we were determined to put on a concert to keep the performing arts alive! Thank you to everyone who has supported us this term - we wish you a Merry Christmas!

Credits

Music: Wassail! Carols of Comfort and Joy, by Alexander L’Estrange Conductor: Richard Robbins Pianist: David Darby Accordion: Phil Wilcox

1. What sweeter music can we bring? Words: from A by Robert Herrick (1591–1674) Music: The Wexford Carol (Irish traditional) arr. Alexander L’Estrange

2. The Sussex carol Words: English trad. (after Bishop Luke Wadding, d. 1686) Music: Trad. (collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams from Mrs Verrall, of Monk's Gate, Sussex, in 1904) arr. Alexander L’Estrange

3. Drive the cold winter away Words: Anon. (before c.1625) Music: 17th century sources, including The English Dancing Master by John Playford (1651) arr. Alexander L’Estrange

4. The and the ivy Words: Trad. Music: Trad. (collected , 1921 and , 1909 by Cecil Sharp) arr. Alexander L’Estrange

5. ! Words: Anon. from (1582), Music: Anon. refrain from Piae Cantiones (1582) arr. Alexander L’Estrange

6. The first tree in the greenwood Words: Trad. Music: Cornish melody, transcribed early 20th century (often known as the Sans Day carol) arr. Alexander L’Estrange

7. Spring will come again Words: Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, Music: Joanna Forbes L’Estrange and Alexander L’Estrange

8. The Wexford carol Words: Anon., from Shawcross's Garland of the Old Castleton Christmas Carols (Derbyshire, 1904); also known as The Enniscorthy Christmas Carol (County Wexford Museum, Ireland) Music: Irish traditional arr. Alexander L’Estrange

9. ad virginem/’s Message Words: Angelus ad virginem* Anon., trans. Alexander L’Estrange; Gabriel’s Message trans. from the Basque by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) Music: Anon., arr. Alexander L’Estrange

10. I saw three ships (The Furry Dance) Words: Trad., adapted by Alexander L’Estrange Music: Trad. (from Cornish village of Helston) arr. Alexander L’Estrange

11. While shepherds watched (three ways*) Words: Nahum Tate/trad. Music: Hail! Chime on, tune and additional text Anon. (often sung in Ecclesfield, near Sheffield, Yorkshire); Lyngham by Thomas Jarman (1776–1861); Cranbrook by Thomas Clark (1775–1859) arr. Alexander L’Estrange

12. Wassail! (medley) Words: Various, Trad. Music: Somerset Wassail collected by Cecil Sharp in Drayton, Somerset; Gloucestershire Wassail collected by Vaughan Williams from "an old person in the county"; Stafforshire Wassail from the singing of George Dunn (1887-1975); Yorkshire Wassail first published 1871 arr. Alexander L’Estrange

1. What sweeter music 3. Drive the cold winter away What sweeter music can we bring All hail to the days that merit more praise Than a carol, for to sing Than all the rest of the year, The birth of this our heavenly King? And welcome the nights that double delights, Awake the voice! Awake the string! As well for the poor as the peer! Good fortune attend each merry man's friend, That doth but the best that he may;

Forgetting old wrongs, with carols and songs, 2. The Sussex carol To drive the cold winter away. On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear the news the angels bring. This time of the year is spent in good cheer, News of great joy, news of great mirth, And neighbours together do meet, News of our merciful King's birth. To sit by the fire, with friendly desire, Each other in love do greet; Then why should men on earth be so sad, Old grudges forgot, are put in the pot, Since our Redeemer made us glad, All sorrows aside they lay, When from our sin he set us free, The old and the young doth carol his song, All for to gain our liberty? To drive the cold winter away.

When sin departs before His grace, To mask and to mum kind neighbours will come Then life and health come in its place. With wassails of nut-brown ale, Angels and men with joy may sing To drink and carouse to all in the house, All for to see the new-born King. As merry as bucks in the dale; Where cake, bread and cheese is brought for your All out of darkness we have light, fees, Which made the angels sing this night: To make you the longer stay; "Glory to God and peace to men, At the fire to warm will do you no harm, Now and for evermore, Amen!" To drive the cold winter away.

When comes in like a bride, With holly and ivy clad, Twelve days in the year, much mirth and good cheer, In every household is had; The country sport is then to resort To gambols or Christmas play, Where everyone does the best that they can, To drive the cold winter away.

5. Gaudete! (Rejoice!) Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus

ex Maria virgine, gaudete!

4. The holly and the ivy Tempus adest gratiæ The holly and the ivy, Hoc quod optabamus, When they are both full grown, Carmina lætitiæ Of all the trees that are in the wood, Devote reddamus. The holly bears the crown. Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus Oh the rising of the sun ex Maria virgine, gaudete! And the running of the deer, The playing of the merry organ, Deus homo factus est Sweet singing in the choir. Natura mirante, Mundus renovatus est The holly bears a blossom, A Christo regnante. As white as the lily flower, Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus And Mary bore sweet Christ, ex Maria virgine, gaudete! To be our sweet Saviour. Oh the rising of the sun, etc… Ezechielis porta Clausa pertransitur, The holly bears a berry, Unde lux est orta As red as any blood, Salus invenitur. And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus For to do us sinners good. ex Maria virgine, gaudete! Oh the rising of the sun, etc… Ergo nostra contio The holly bears a prickle, Psallat iam in lustro; As sharp as any thorn, Benedicat Domino: And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ Salus Regi nostro. On Christmas Day in the morn. Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus Oh the rising of the sun, etc… ex Maria virgine, gaudete!

The holly bears a bark, As bitter as any gall, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ For to redeem us all. Oh the rising of the sun, etc…

6. The first tree in the greenwood 8. The Wexford carol Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk, Good people all, this Christmas time, And Mary bore Jesus, all wrapped up in silk: Consider well and bear in mind And Mary she bore Jesus our Saviour for to be, What our good God for us has done And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly. In sending his beloved son Holly! Holly! With Mary holy we should pray, And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly! To God with love this Christmas Day In Bethlehem upon that morn, Now the holly bears a prickle as sharp as the thorn, There was a blessed Messiah born. And Mary bore Jesus, on Christmas day morn: And Mary she bore Jesus our Saviour for to be, The night before that happy tide, And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly. The noble Virgin and her guide Holly! Holly! Were long time seeking up and down And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly! To find a lodging in the town. But mark how all things came to pass Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal, From every door repelled, alas, And Mary she bore Jesus, who died for us all: As was foretold, their refuge all And Mary she bore Jesus our Saviour for to be, Was but a humble ox's stall. And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly. Holly! Holly! Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly! Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep To whom God's angels did appear Now the holly bears a berry, as blood is it red, Which put the shepherds in great fear And Mary she bore Jesus, who rose from the dead: ‘Arise and go’, the angels said, And Mary she bore Jesus our Saviour for to be, ‘To Bethlehem, be not afraid And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly. For there you'll find, this happy morn Holly! Holly! A princely babe, sweet Jesus, born.’ And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly! With thankful heart and joyful mind The shepherds went the babe to find And as God's angel had foretold They did our Saviour Christ behold Within a manger he was laid And by his side the virgin maid Attending on the Lord of Life Who came on earth to end all strife.

9. Angelus ad virginem / Gabriel’s message 10. I saw three ships come sailing in Angelus ad virginem, subintrans in conclave, I saw three ships come sailing in, Virginis formidinem demulcens, inquit Ave! On Christmas day, on Christmas day, Ave, regina virginum: coeli terraeque dominum I saw three ships come sailing in, Concipies et paries intacta sSalutem hominum; On Christmas Day in the morning! Tu porta coeli facta, medela criminum. And who was in those ships all three? Gabriel to Mary came, a holy message bare he. On Christmas day, on Christmas day, Deeply bowed the maiden mild And who was in those ships all three? to hear him say ‘Hail Mary.’ ‘Twas Joseph and his fair lady! ‘Fear not, for blessed news I bring; Fear not, for Jesus, heaven’s king, Pray whither sailed those ships all three? Thy first born shall soon be born in pureness, On Christmas day, on Christmas day, A child of truth and grace, Pray whither sailed those ships all three? by thee He comes victorious, On Christmas Day in the morning! to save the human race. Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem, The angel Gabriel from heaven came On Christmas day, on Christmas day, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem, "All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary, On Christmas Day in the morning! Most highly favoured lady," Gloria! And he did whistle and she did sing, (…) For known a blessed mother thou shalt be, And all the bells on earth shall ring, (…) All generations laud and honour thee, Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold And all the bells on earth shall ring, Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! On Christmas day, on Christmas day, And all the bells on earth shall ring, When the girl had understood On Christmas Day in the morning! she spoke in answer lowly: I am but a maid of God, I saw three ships come sailing in, of Him whose name is Holy; On Christmas day, on Christmas day, With thee, O messenger of heav’n I saw three ships come sailing in, By whom this prophecy is given, On Christmas Day in the morning! I well agree, so let it be my destiny, According to thy word. And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing, O Gabriel! Behold me: On Christmas day, on Christmas day, The handmaid of the Lord! And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing, Gloria! On Christmas Day in the morning!

11 While shepherds watched 12. Wassail While shepherds watched their flocks by night, Wassail, O wassail all over the town all seated on the ground, Our cup it is white and the ale it is brown the angel of the Lord came down The cup it is made of the good ashen tree and glory shone around. And so is the malt of the best barley Hail! Chime on, chime on For it’s your wassail and it’s our wassail Merry, merry Christmas bells, chime on And it’s joy be to you and a jolly wassail

'Fear not,' said he - for mighty dread Oh master and missus, are you all within? had seized their troubled mind - Pray open the door and let us come in 'Glad tidings of great joy I bring Oh master and missus a-sitting by the fire to you and all mankind: Pray think on us poor travellers, a traveling in the mire Hail! Chime on, chime on For it’s your wassail and it’s our wassail (etc..) Merry, merry Christmas bells, chime on

Now here is to Dobbin and to his right eye 'To you in David's town this day Pray God send our mistress a good Christmas pie is born of David's line A good Christmas pie as may we well see, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. With the wassailing bowl they’ll drink to thee. And this shall be the sign: For it’s your wassail and it’s our wassail (etc..)

'The heavenly babe you there shall find So here’s to the maid in the lily-white smock, to human view displayed, Who tripped to the door and pulled back the lock, all meanly wrapped in swathing bands Who tripped to the door and pulled back the pin, and in a manger laid.' For to let those jolly Wassailers in!

Thus spoke the seraph, and forthwith Here we come a-wasslin’ among the leaves so green, appeared a shining throng Here we come a-wasslin’ so fair to be seen, of angels praising God, who thus Love and joy come to you, and your wassail to you, addressed their joyful song: Praise God send you a happy new year.

'All glory be to God on high, We are not daily beggars who beg from door to door and to the earth be peace; But we are neighbours’ children whom you have goodwill henceforth from heaven to men seen before. begin and never cease!' Wassail, O wassail all over the town,

Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown.

Love and joy come to you, and your wassail too, And God bless you and send you a happy new year.

Wassail!

Enjoy Singing? Join our choir!

SPRING TERM

Starting 11th January 2021, 7.30pm

We are a friendly, non-auditioned, amateur mixed choir. We rehearse in Egham United Church, Egham High St, TW20 9EX on Monday evenings. We perform three times a year and sing a diverse range of music.

For the Spring term we’ll be rehearsing two wonderful pieces by Vaughan Williams: 'Dona Nobis Pacem' and 'Five Mystical Songs', which we plan to perform at a concert in May 2021.

Due to Covid-19, we currently meet in limited numbers at United Church of Egham, with other members joining online. If you’d like to give us a try please email [email protected] or ring 07764 823299.

Find out more about Egham Choral at www.eghamchoral.org Follow us on facebook and twitter @eghamchoral Egham and District Choral Society is registered charity No277588 and is affiliated to Making Music