The Westminster
Carol Book

Arranged and composed by John Baird

Published by Camden Music, London

Presser 512-00559, $14.95

...35 carols of varied styles presented
in a different and interesting way...

and now YOURS at HALF PRICE!

INTRODUCTION

The Westminster Carol Book is a collection of thirty carols for unaccompanied choir ranging in style from the simple strophic song to the through-composed polyphonic motet. It is not the intention to provide yet another arrangement of the best known carols, as that has been done excellently elsewhere. We have included one or two of these which have seemed less available in unaccompanied form. There is, however, a short appendix which may be useful, particularly for singers on the move.

There are seven carols in medieval Latin (mainly from the 1582 collection "Piae Cantiones") including the charismatic "Gaudete" and the lovely "Quem Pastores". There are also seven popular carols from mainland Europe, some of them quite unknown in the English speaking world. The riotous old Spanish "Riu, riu chiu" and the lyrical Italian pastoral, "Tu Scendi dalle stelle" will probably transform your attitude to the carol! In accordance with the spirit of the age you are invited to sing them in these carols in their original languages, although we have presented the Austrian "Stille Nacht" in both German and English.

In even the most contrapuntal of these arrangements (and canon is a recurring feature) it is usually possible to find a section which, if repeated, can form the basis of a strophic version when this is required. All the traditional carols in English should work with congregation or audience participation, although some of the linking passages will need care.

We hope choirs will experiment with the speeds and dynamics as the indications given are only intended as a broad outline. The keyboard reductions can be used in performance as well as rehearsal if needed although it would be wise to adapt them slightly. Choirs should feel free to substitute an organ for some sections of the music either to achieve variety or to get round a passage they find too difficult! Most choirs these days have people who can help the less experienced with the other European languages. For those who need it, a brief guide to some of the most important points is included in the appendix at the end of the book. -- J.B.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title / First lines Composer/author/source. Page
TRADITIONAL CAROLS
1. The Angel Gabriel Basque carol/ S. Baring-Gould 1
2. Angels from the Realms of Glory French traditional/James Montgomery 8
3. Deck the Hall Welsh traditional 10
4. I Saw Three Ships English traditional 19
5. The Sussex Carol English traditional 27

(On Christmas night all Christians sing)
6. The First Nowell English traditional 40
7. Sans Day Carol Cornish traditional 43

(Now the holly bears a berry)
8. Wassail Song English traditional 50

(Here we come a-wassailing)
9. We Three Kings Words and tune by J.H.Hopkins 56
Pennsylvania, c. 1857  
10. See Amid the Winter's Snow J. Goss / E. Caswall 64
CAROLS FROM MAINLAND EUROPE
11. Quelle est Cette Odeur Agrdable French traditional 69
12. Tu Scendi dalle Stelle Italian traditional 80
13. Noel Nouvelet French traditional 89
14. Il est Ne le Divin Enfant French traditional 94
15. Stille Nacht Austrian - F. Gruber/J. Mohr 102

(Silent Night)

 (Translation by John Freeman Young and others.)  
16. Dinguilin, Dinguilon Spanish traditional 107
17. Riu, Riu Chiu Old Spanish 114
OLD LATIN CAROLS
18. Personent Hodie from Piae Cantiones, 1582 121
19. Divinum Mysterium from Piae Cantiones 126
20. Puer Nobis from Piae Cantiones 133
21. Gaudete from Piae Cantiones 138
22. Resonet in Laudibus from Piae Cantiones 143
23. Quem Pastores Old German words and tune. 150
24. In Dulci Jubilo Old German bilingual carol 153
(tr. R.I. Pearsall and others)  
MISCELLANEOUS
25. On this Night of the Year John Baird/Christopher Wood 161
26. Appalachian Carol Appalachian folk tune with 172
new words by Christopher Wood.  
27. Jesus, Long Ago Words and music by John Baird 174
28. Mary had a Baby West Indian traditional 178
29. De Virgin Mary West Indian traditional 181
30. The Town Lay Hushed Thomas Tallis psalm tune with 184
new words by Christopher Wood.  
APPENDIX
Away in a manger
Hark! the herald angels sing
O come, all ye faithful
Once in royal David's city
While shepherds watched