Sorry no roses in the video… more like a farewell to summer thing. Though the mood is rather more emotional even tragic in the middle there, you can put your own story to it đ
There is sheet music for this on the sheet music page. I wanted something pretty easy under the hands. It is kind of Einaudi lite, but just the two pages. I used an old Roland SC88 piano for this sound.
Another little tune made with the same sound set I used for Let’s Adventure.
I’ve been experimenting with Scratch and tried using that to make the animation — couldn’t get it to reliably stay exactly in time and had to finesse it a bit with imovie, but still a fun idea:) The art is by piyapong89 on pixabay.
I have just updated the sheet music page with a bunch of choral scores, in time for Christmas! ‘Twas in the Moon of the Wintertime / The Huron Carol we have sung several times in Sing Clifton; the rest are new, one getting its first performance this year.
[ Buy and download on Sheet Music Plus ]
SATB | 3m30 | Intermediate
O Night, Restful and Deep in a new musical setting by Sara Garrard. A beautiful, peaceful song for Christmas, expanding into warm harmonies over four verses.
We will be singing this in the Sing Clifton Christmas concert 2022.
O Night, restful and deep
The Babe folded in sleep,
In a poor manger dreameth!
Moonlight softly doth shine,
Around melody streameth:
âHe is the Babe Divine!
He is the Babe Divine!âO Dawn, rosy and shy,
Greet Him where He doth lie,
At the birds’ call awaking!
As clouds fleeing from sight,
So all shadows are breaking:
âHe is the dark World’s Light!
He is the dark World’s Light!âOh Morn, lovely and blest,
Round Him, guarding His rest,
Angels gently are singing:
âHail Him! Heavenly Dove!â
Their notes joyfully ringing:
âHe is the King of Love!
He is the King of Love!âO Day, glorious the hour,
words from O bienheureuse nuit, a French Noel, English Translation by K. W. Simpson
Jesus mighty in power,
Waketh in lowly manger!
He bids sorrowing cease;
Seek Him ever in danger!
He is the sad World’s Peace.
He is the sad World’s Peace.
[ Buy and download on Sheet Music Plus ]
SATB and piano | 2m45 | Intermediate
A new setting of Catherine Winkworth’s words, “A Spotless Rose”. The piece is SATB with piano, with a flowing, modal feel perfect for winter or Christmas.
A spotless Rose is blowing
Sprung from a tender root,
Of ancient seersâ foreshowing,
Of Jesse promised fruit;
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter
And in the dark midnight.The Rose which I am singing,
Words: Es Ist Ein Ros, 15th Century German carol,
Whereof Isaiah said,
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary, purest Maid;
For through our Godâs great love and might
The blessed babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winterâs night.
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1869
as with Redeemer of the Nations Come, I originally set this as part of my Catherine Winkworth Songbook project.
[ Buy and download on Sheet Music Plus ]
SATB unaccompanied | 2m45 | Early-intermediate
Thought to be Canada’s oldest Christmas carol. And recently, the English words have also come into the pubic domain.
This arrangement has become a favourite in our choir and we have performed it a few times.
English words Jesse Edgar Middleton. Original words and music Jean de Brébeuf.
Preview:
[ Buy and download on Sheet Music Plus ]
SATB | Duration: 2m10 | Difficulty: Moderate
A new Christmas carol, in a traditional style, including a soprano descant for the last verse.
The words are an early 20th century English translation of a much older Polish lyric “W Ć»Ćobie LeĆŒy”, and the melody lightly echoes a more famous version of a translation “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”.
Tell, O shepherds, tell the story
Of the wonders ye have seen;
Of the King of grace and glory
Cradled in a manger mean;
Of th’incarnate Word most holy,
Lying In the stall so lowly.
Cum Maria Virgine.How ye heard the angels singing
Canticles of holy mirth;
Ev’ry hill and vale a-ringing
With the chorus ‘Peace on earth
Peace and love end full salvation
Now is come to all creation.
Christus natus hodie.He whom Seer and Prophet hoary,
Long fortold in time afore,
Lo, is here in fullest glory,
To abide for evermore.
Holy Babe we bow before Thee.
And on bended knee adore Thee.
Reddens laudes Domino.
SATB, some div, optional percussion | 2m30 | Early intermediate
[ Buy and download on Sheet Music Plus ]
A dramatic a capella setting of Catherine Winkworth’s English lyric “Redeemer of the Nations, Come”.
Redeemer of the nations, come!
Ransom of earth, here make Thy home!
Bright Sun, oh dart Thy flame to earth,
For so shall God in Christ have birth!
Thou comest from Thy kingly throne,
O Son of God, the Virgin’s Son!
Thou Hero of a twofold race,
Dost walk in might earth’s darkest place.
Thou stoopest once to suffer here,
Risest o’er the starry sphere;
Hell’s gates at Thy descent were riven,
Ere thy ascent to highest Heaven.
How bright Thy lowly manger beams!
Down earth’s dark vale its glory streams,
The splendour of Thy natal night
Shines through all Time in deathless light.
Words: Veni, Redemptor Gentium, St. Ambrose; Komm Heidenheiland, Lösegeld, German trans. by Johann Franck; English trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1865. Thanks as ever to Hymns and Carols of Christmas.
Based on my solo/multitracked YouTube version — full choir, but similarly cinematic-medieval feel!