Here Our Ubi Laudavérunt Te Patres Nostri

Advent Prose arranged by Peter Foggitt

Rorate, coeli, desuper, et nubes pluant iustum; Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem. down righteousness; let the earth open and send forth a Saviour.

Ne irascáris Dómine, ne ultra memíneris Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, iniquitátis: neither remember iniquity forever: ecce cívitas Sancti facta est desérta: Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Sion desérta facta est: Jerúsalem desoláta est: Sion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation: domus sanctificatiónis tuæ et glóriæ tuæ, Our holy and our beautiful house, where our ubi laudavérunt te patres nostri. fathers praisèd thee.

Peccávimus et facti sumus tamquam immúndus We have sinned, and are as an unclean thing, nos, and we all do fade as a leaf: et cecídimus quasi fólium univérsi: and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us et iniquitátes nostræ quasi ventus abstulérunt nos: away; abscondísti fáciem tuam a nobis, thou hast hid thy face from us: et allisisti nos in manu iniquitátis nostræ. and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

Vide Domine afflictiónem pópuli tui, Behold, O Lord, the affliction of thy people, and et mitte quem missúrus es: send forth Him who is to come: emítte Agnum dominatórem terræ, send forth the Lamb, the ruler of the earth, de Petra desérti ad montem fíliæ Sion: from the Rock of the desert, to the mount of ut áuferat ipse jugum captivitátis nostræ. daughter Sion: that he may take away the yoke of our captivity.

Consolámini, consolámini, pópule meus: cito Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, véniet salus tua: my salvation shall not tarry: quare mæróre consúmeris, quia innovávit te I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy dolor? transgressions: Salvábo te, noli timére, ego enim sum Dóminus Fear not, for I will save thee: for I am the Lord Deus tuus, thy God, Sanctus Israel, Redémptor tuus. the Holy One of Israel, thy Redeemer.

“I wonder as I wander” from Songs of the Hill Folk, words and melody collected by John Jacob Niles, arranged by Benjamin Britten

I wonder as I wander out under the sky How Jesus our Saviour did come for to die For poor or’n’ry people like you and like I, I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

When Mary birthed Jesus ‘twas in a cow stall With wise men and shepherds and farmers and all, On high from God’s heaven the stars’ light did fall And the promise of the ages it did then recall.

If Jesus has wanted for any wee thing, A star in the sky or a bird on the wing Or all of God’s angels in Heav’n for to sing, He surely could’ve had it for he was the King!

I wonder as I wander out under the sky How Jesus our Saviour did come for to die For poor or’n’ry people like you and like I, I wonder as I wander out under the sky. from Hugo Wolf’s Spanisches Liederbuch – Geistliche Lieder (Spanish Songbook – Sacred Songs)

“Nun wandre, Maria” (Journey on, now, Mary), No 3 Ocaña, translated Paul Heyse

DER HEILIGE JOSEPH SINGT ST JOSEPH SINGS

Nun wandre, Maria, Journey on, now, Mary, Nun wandre nur fort. Keep journeying. Schon krähen die Hähne, The cocks are crowing, Und nah ist der Ort. And the place is near. Nun wandre, Geliebte, Journey on, beloved, Du Kleinod mein, My jewel, Und balde wir werden And soon we shall In Bethlehem sein. Be in Bethlehem. Dann ruhest du fein Then you shall rest well Und schlummerst dort. And slumber there. Schon krähen die Hähne The cocks are crowing, Und nah ist der Ort. And the place is near. Wohl seh ich, Herrin, I will see, my lady, Die Kraft dir schwinden; That your strength is failing; Kann deine Schmerzen, I can hardly, alas, Ach, kaum verwinden. Bear your agony. Getrost! Wohl finden Courage! We shall find Wir Herberg dort. Some shelter there. Schon krähen die Hähne The cocks are crowing, Und nah ist der Ort. And the place is near. Wär erst bestanden If only your hour of pain Dein Stündlein, Marie, Were over, O Mary, Die gute Botschaft, I should handsomely reward Gut lohnt ich sie. The happy tidings. Das Eselein hie This little ass here Gäb ich drum fort! I’d gladly give away! Schon krähen die Hähne The cocks are crowing, Und nah ist der Ort. Come! The place is near.

Translation © Richard Stokes

“Die ihr schwebet um diese Palmen” (You, who hover about these palms), No 4 Lope de Vega, translated Emanuel Geibel

Die ihr schwebet You who hover Um diese Palmen About these palms In Nacht und Wind, In night and wind, Ihr heilgen Engel, You holy angels, Stillet die Wipfel! Silence the tree-tops! Es schlummert mein Kind. My child is sleeping. Ihr Palmen von Bethlehem You palms of Bethlehem Im Windesbrausen, In the raging wind, Wie mögt ihr heute Why do you bluster So zornig sausen! So angrily today! O rauscht nicht also! Oh roar not so! Schweiget, neiget Be still, lean Euch leis und lind; Calmly and gently over us; Stillet die Wipfel! Silence the tree-tops! Es schlummert mein Kind. My child is sleeping. Der Himmelsknabe The heavenly babe Duldet Beschwerde, Suffers distress, Ach, wie so müd er ward Ah, how weary He has grown Vom Leid der Erde. With the sorrows of this world. Ach nun im Schlaf ihm Ah, now that in sleep Leise gesänftigt His pains Die Qual zerrinnt, Are gently eased, Stillet die Wipfel! Silence the tree-tops! Es schlummert mein Kind. My child is sleeping. Grimmige Kälte Fierce cold Sauset hernieder, Blows down on us, Womit nur deck ich With what shall I cover Des Kindleins Glieder! My little child’s limbs? O all ihr Engel, O all you angels Die ihr geflügelt Who wing your way Wandelt im Wind, On the winds, Stillet die Wipfel! Silence the tree-tops! Es schlummert mein kind. My child is sleeping.

Translation © Richard Stokes

Pastorcito Santo (Holy Shepherd Boy), Lope de Vega set by Joaquin Rodrigo

Zagalejo de perlas Pearl-bright shepherd boy, hijo del alba, son of the dawn, ¿dónde vais que hace frío where are you bound in such cold tan de mañana? so early in the morning? Como sois lucero Since you are the morning star del alba mía of my dawn, a traer el día to bring in the day nacéis primero; you are the first to appear;

pastor y cordero, shepherd and lamb, sin choza ni lana, without hut or fleece, ¿dónde vais que hace frío where are you bound in such cold tan de mañana? so early in the morning? Perlas en los ojos, With pearls in your eyes risa en la boca, and laughter on your lips, a placer y enojos pleasure and anger las almas provoca; you bring to our souls; cabellitos rojos, little shock of russet hair, boca de grana, scarlet mouth, ¿dónde vais que hace frío where are you bound in such cold tan de mañana? so early in the morning? ¿Qué tenéis que hacer What must you do, pastorcito Santo, holy little shepherd, madrugando tanto? to rise so early? Lo dais a entender You let it be known, aunque vais a ver even though you go forth disguised disfrazado el alma. to see our souls. ¿Dónde vais que hace frío Where are you bound in such cold tan de mañana? so early in the morning?

English © Jacqueline Cockburn from Diez villancicos españolas texts anon. set by Joaquin Nin

Villancico Vasco Basque Carol

Ator, ator mutil etxera, Come, come home child, Gastaña zimelak jatera To eat soft chestnuts Gabon gaba ospatuteko To celebrate Christmas night Aitaren ta amaren onduan; With your mother and father; Ikusiko dok aita bareka You will see father laugh Amabe guztiz kontentuz. And mother too will be very happy.

Villancico Castellano Castillian Carol

San José era carpintero, carpintero, ¡Ay ! Saint Joseph was a carpenter Y la Virgen lavandera, lavandera, ¡Ay ! And the Virgin was a laundress. El Niño bajó del cielo The Child came down from Heaven En una noche lunera. On a moonlit night. San José era carpintero, carpintero, ¡Ay ! Saint Joseph was a carpenter.

San José era carpintero, carpintero, ¡Ay ! Saint Joseph was a carpenter Y la Virgen lavandera, lavandera, ¡Ay ! And the Virgin was a laundress. El Niño vino del aire The Child came from the air, Camino del paraiso. The Road to Paradise. San José era carpintero, carpintero, ¡Ay ! Saint Joseph was a carpenter.

Villancico de Córdoba Carol of Cordoba

Madre en la puerta hay un Niño Mother, in the doorway is a Child

Más bello que flor de lirio. More beautiful than the lily, Cubierto de blanco lino Covered with white linen Madre el Niño tiene frío. Mother, the Child is cld. Que venga a la lumbre y se calentará Come to the fireplace ¡Ay ! que en esta tierra And warm yourself. Ya no hay caridad. Ay, in this world there is no charity.

Villancico Andaluz Andalucian Carol

Campana sobre campana A bell above a bell Y sobre campana una; And above a bell one more; Asómate a esa ventana Come up to that window Verás un Niño en la cuna. You will see a Child in a manger. Belén, campanas de Belén Bethlehem, bells of Bethlehem Que los angeles tocan That the angels ring ¿Que nuevas me traés? What news do you bring me?

Recogido tu rebaño Gathering up your flock, ¿A dónde vas, pastorcito? Where are you going, dear shepeherd? Voy a llevar al Portal I'm going to take to the stable Requesón manteca y vino. Ricotta cheese, lard and wine. Belén, campanas de Belén Bethlehem, bells of Bethlehem Que los angeles tocan That the angels ring ¿Que nuevas me traés? What news do you bring me?

Campana sobre campana, A bell above a bell Y sobre campana dos; And above a bell two more; Asómate a esa ventana, Come up to that window Porque está naciendo Dios. Because God is being born. Belén, campanas de Belén Bethlehem, bells of Bethlehem Que los angeles tocan That the angels ring ¿Que nuevas me traés? What news do you bring me?

Caminando a medianoche Travelling at midnight, ¿A dónde vas mi buen pastor? Where are you going, good shepherd? Le llevo al Niño que nace I'm taking to the Child who is born, Como a Dios, mi corazón. As to God, my heart. Belén, campanas de Belén Bethlehem, bells of Bethlehem Que los angeles tocan That the angels ring ¿Que nuevas me traés? What news do you bring me? Original authors anon. Translations © Barbara Miller

Bethlehem Down, text by Bruce Blunt set by Peter Warlock

“When He is King we will give him the King’s gifts, Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown, Beautiful robes”, said the young girl to Joseph Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down. Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold, Mary for sleep, and for lullaby music Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold. When He is King they will clothe Him in grave-sheets, Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown, He that lies now in the white arms of Mary Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down. Here He has peace and a short while for dreaming, Close-huddled oxen to keep Him from cold, Mary for love, and for lullaby music Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

The First Mercy, text by Bruce Blunt set by Peter Warlock

Ox and ass at Bethlehem On a night, ye know of them. We were only creatures small, Hid by shadows on the wall. We were swallow, moth and mouse; The Child was born in our house, And the bright eyes of us three Peeped at His nativity. Hands of peace upon that place Hushed our beings for a space Quiet feet and folded wing, Nor a sound of any thing. With a moving star we crept Closer when the Baby slept; Men who guarded where He lay Moved to frighten us away. But the Babe, awakened, laid Love on things that were afraid; With so sweet a gesture He Called us to His company.

Weihnachtslieder – Ein Liedercyklus, gedichtet von Peter Cornelius Christmas Songs – A Song Cycle, words and music by Peter Cornelius

I. Christbaum I. The Christmas Tree

Wie schön geschmückt der festliche Raum! How prettily is the festive room adorned! Die Lichter funkeln am Weihnachtsbaum! The candles shimmer on the Christmas tree! O fröhliche Zeit! o seliger Traum! O glad time! o blissful dream!

Die Mutter sitzt in der Kinder Kreis; Mother sits among her children; Nun schweiget alles auf ihr Geheiß: now everyone is silent at her command: Sie singet des Christkinds Lob und Preis. she sings the Christ-child's praise and glory.

Und rings, vom Weihnachtsbaum erhellt, And all around, illuminated by the Christmas Ist schön in Bildern aufgestellt tree, Des heiligen Buches Palmenwelt. beautifully shown in pictures, is the palmy world of the Holy Book. Die Kinder schauen der Bilder Pracht, Und haben wohl des Singen acht, The children gaze at the pictures' magnificence Das tönt so süß in der Weihenacht! and pay close attention to the singing, that sounds so sweet on the eve of Christmas! O glücklicher Kreis im festlichen Raum! O goldne Lichter am Weihnachtsbaum! O happy circle in a festive room! O fröhliche Zeit! o seliger Traum! O golden candles on the Christmas tree! O glad time! o blissful dream!

IIb. Die Hirten IIb. The Shepherds

Hirten wachen im Feld; Shepherds watch in the field; Nacht ist rings auf der Welt; night surrounds the world; Wach sind die Hirten alleine only the shepherds are awake Im Haine. in the grove.

Und ein Engel so licht And an angel so bright Grüßet die Hirten und spricht: greets the shepherds and says: "Christ, das Heil aller Frommen, "Christ, the salvation of all pious souls, Ist kommen!" is come!"

Engel singen umher: The angels sing all around: "Gott im Himmel sei Ehr! "Glory to God in Heaven! Und den Menschen hienieden And to men down below, Sei Frieden!" peace!"

Eilen die Hirten fort, The shepherds hurry forth, Eilen zum heilgen Ort, hurry to the holy place, Beten an in den Windlein and worship the infant Das Kindlein. in swaddling clothes.

IIIb. Die Könige IIIb. The Kings

Drei Könige wandern aus Morgenland; Three kings are traveling from the East;

Ein Sternlein führt sie zum Jordanstrand. a small star leads them to Jordan. In Juda fragen und forschen die drei, In Judea they ask and search, these three, Wo der neugeborene König sei? where the new-born king is. Sie wollen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold They wish to bring incense, myrrh and gold Dem Kinde spenden zum Opfersold. as an offering to the child.

Und hell erglänzet des Sternes Schein: And the light of the star shines brightly: Zum Stalle gehen die Kön'ge ein; the kings go into the stall; Das Knäblein schaun sie wonniglich, gazing with wonder at the child, Anbetend neigen die Könige sich; the kings bow low in worship. Sie bringen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold They bring incense, myrrh and gold Zum Opfer dar dem Knäblein hold. as an offering to the sweet baby boy.

O Menschenkind! halte treulich Schritt! O Sons of Man! keep faith! Die Kön'ge wandern, o wandre mit! The kings are journeying - travel with them! Der Stern der Liebe, der Gnade Stern The star of love, the star of grace Erhelle dein Ziel, so du suchst den Herrn, shine on your goal as you seek the Lord, Und fehlen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold, and if you lack incense, myrrh and gold, Schenke dein Herz dem Knäblein hold! give instead your heart to that sweet baby boy!

IV. Simeon IV. Simeon

Das Knäblein nach acht Tagen After eight days,the baby boy Ward gen Jerusalem was carried to Jerusalem, Zum Gotteshaus getragen to the house of God, Vom Stall in Bethlehem. from the stall in Bethlehem.

Da kommt ein Greis geschritten, There comes striding an old man, Der fromme Simeon, the pious Simeon; Er nimmt in Tempels Mitten in the middle of the temple he takes Vom Mutterarm den Sohn; the son from his mother's arms.

Vom Angesicht des Alten From the face of the old man Ein Strahl der Freude bricht, beams bright joy; Er preiset Gottes Walten he praises God's ways, Weissagungsvoll und spricht: full of prophecy, and says:

"Nun lässest du in Frieden, "Now, permit your servant Herr, deinen Diener gehn, to depart in peace, Lord, Da du mir noch beschieden, for you have allowed Den Heiland anzusehn, me to see the Saviour,

Den du der Welt gesendet, whom you sent into the world Daß er dem Heidentum to bestow upon the Gentiles Des Lichtes Helle spendet the brightness of your light, Zu deines Volkes Ruhm!" to the glory of your people!"

Mit froh erstaunten Sinnen With happily astonished minds, Vernimmt's der Eltern Paar, the pair of parents listen, Dann tragen sie von hinnen then leave, carrying away Das Knäblein wunderbar. the wondrous infant boy.

V. Christus der Kinderfreund V. Christ the friend of children

Das zarte Knäblein ward ein Mann, The tender boy became a man Erlöst uns von der Sünde Bann; and redeemed us from the spell of sin; Doch neigt er freundlich immerdar Yet he always bows kindly Und liebend sich zur Kinderschar. and lovingly to a crowd of children. Habt ihr den Ruf des Herrn vernommen, Have you heard the call of the Lord, Des Heilands Stimme mild und weich? the Saviour's voice, mild and soft? "Lasset die Kleinen zu mir kommen, "Let the little ones come to me, Denn ihrer ist das Himmelreich!" for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven!"

Mich aber mahnt die Weihnachtszeit But to me, Christmastime reminds me An Träume der Vergangenheit; of the dreams of the past; Erinnrungsodem hauchet mild a breath of memory gently wafts Den Schleier von der Kindheit Bild; the veil away from images of childhood; Da Lichter hell am Baum erglommen, when the candles gleam brightly on the tree, Ist mir, als würd ich Kindern gleich, I feel as if I were a child again - Als dürft ich mit euch Kleinen kommen, as if I could come with you children Zu teilen euer Himmelreich. to share your Heavenly Kingdom.

VI. Christkind VI. The Christ-child

Das einst ein Kind auf Erden war, He who once was a child on this earth, Christkindlein kommt noch jedes Jahr. the Christ-child, comes yet again every year.

Kommet vom hohen Sternenzelt, He comes from the sublime starry sky, Freut und beglücket alle Welt! and delights and inspires all the world!

Mit Kindern feiert's froh den Tag, He joyously celebrates with children the day Wo Christkind in der Krippe lag; the Christchild lay in his manger;

Den Christbaum zündet's überall, All around, he ignites the Christmas trees Weckt Orgelklang und Glockenschall. and awakens the peal of an organ and the toll of bells. Christkindlein kommt zu arm und reich, Die Guten sind ihm alle gleich. The Christ-child comes to the poor and the rich, for to him, the good are all alike. Danket ihm denn und grüßt es fein, Auch euch beglückte Christkindlein! Thank him then, and greet him well; the Christ-child has made you happy as well!

The Birds, text by Hilaire Belloc set by Benjamin Britten

When Jesus Christ was four years old, The angels brought Him toys of gold, Which no man ever had bought or sold.

And yet with these He would not play. He made Him small fowl out of clay, And blessed them till they flew away.

Tu creasti, Domine. Jesus Christ, Thou child so wise, Bless mine hands and fill mine eyes, And bring my soul to Paradise.

Noël des jouets, words and music by Maurice Ravel

Le troupeau verni des moutons The painted flock of sheep Roule en tumulte vers la crèche. Trundles towards the crib. Les lapins tambours, brefs et rêches, The rabbit drummers, sharp and harsh, Couvrent leurs aigres mirlitons. Drown their shrill hewgags’ sound. Vierge Marie, en crinoline, The Virgin Mary in crinoline, Ses yeux d’émail sans cesse ouverts, Her enamel eyes ever open, En attendant Bonhomme hiver, Waits for good old winter to come, Veille Jésus qui se dodine. Watching over Jesus who lies abed. Car, près de là, sous un sapin, For nearby, skulking beneath a fir-tree Furtif, emmitouflé dans l’ombre And muffled in the forest’s shadow, Du bois, Belzébuth, le chien sombre, Beelzebub, the sinister dog, Guette l’Enfant de sucre peint. Lies in wait for the coloured-sugar Child. Mais les beaux anges incassables But the beautiful unbreakable angels, Suspendus par des fils d’archal Hanging by wires of brass Du haut de l’arbuste hiémal From the top of the Christmas tree Assurent la paix des étables. Guarantee the stables’ peace. Et leur vol de clinquant vermeil And their tinselled vermillion flight, Qui cliquette en bruits symétriques Jingling in symmetrical sounds S’accorde au bétail mécanique Harmonizes with the mechanical cattle, Dont la voix grêle bêle: Whose harsh voices bellow: «Noêl! Noêl! Noêl!» ‘Noël! Noël! Noël!’

Le Noël des Oiseaux, text by Armand Sylvestre set by Cecile Chaminade

Petit Jésus, maître du ciel, Little Jesus, Master of Heaven, Que les anges chantant Noël May the Angels who sing ‘Noel’ Veillent sous leurs blancheurs ailées, Watch beneath their winged whiteness, Viens donc, viens donc pour les petits oiseaux So come, come then for the little birds shivering Qui frissonnent au bord des eaux gelées at the frozen water’s edge

Bonnes gens qui sur le chemin You gentlefolk passing by the way, Passez, un rosaire à la main, Rosaries in hand, Dont l'âme a des avés pour ailes, Your souls have ‘Hail Marys’ for wings, Priez, priez pour les petits oiseaux Pray, pray for the little birds Dont la neige a trempé les os si frèles. Whose bones, so fragile, the snow has soaked through. Cloches sonores au doux bruit, You sonorous bells of sweet sound, Qui pour la messe de minuit Who for Midnight Mass Au fond de l'air tintez agiles, Resound nimbly through the air, Sonnez, sonnez pour les petits oiseaux Ring, ring for the little birds Les nids sont frères des berceaux fragiles. Their nests, brothers to fragile cradles.

Beaux anges, nos frères ailés, Beautiful angels, our winged brothers, Qui près de la crèche volez, Who fly about the cradle, Vous que Dieu sur la terre envoie, You whom God sends to Earth, Apportez, apportez aux petits oiseaux Bring joy, bring joy to the little birds Grelottant parmi les Roseaux La joie. Shivering among the reeds.

“Nous voulons une petite soeur”, text Jean Nohain set by Francis Poulenc

The text is copyright and cannot be reproduced here. Suffice to say, Madame Eustache’s seventeen daughters have some rather unreasonable demands on their Christmas lists. It doesn’t end well…