Old Father Christmas

Download MP3 podcasts in 192 or 320 KBPS at mryantaylor.com

Songs performed:

• The Snowman Song by M Ryan Taylor
• O Holy Night arranged by Hayes
• The March of the Three Kings arranged by Althouse, words by Taylor
• Away in a Manger arranged by Hayes
• Gifts of the Wise Men (from O Sing a Song of Bethlehem) by M Ryan Taylor
• Good King Wenceslas arranged by Althouse
• Old Song Re-Sung from All Heaven and it was One Hour Old by M Ryan Taylor
• Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child arranged by Hayes

Available Editions:

Free PDF Editions:

• All Heaven and it was One Hour Old - Medium Voice.pdf
• All Heaven and it was One Hour Old - Medium High Voice.pdf
• All Heaven and it was One Hour Old - High Voice.pdf
• All Heaven and it was One Hour Old - all 3 editions - Medium - Medium High and High.pdf

Printed Edition on Lulu.com:

All Heaven and it was One Hour Old
All 3 keys in a spiral bound book.

Contents

1. The Christmas Bird
2. All Heaven and it was One Hour Old
3. Bethlehem
4. Bring Him Peace
5. Old Song Re-sung

About "All Heaven and it was One Hour Old"

This song cycle is based on the Christmas poetry of Katherine Tynan, an Irish catholic poet who at one time, early in her career, was championed by William Butler Yeats. The five lovely, thought provoking poems that were chosen from her works for this song cycle capture the spirit of Christmas with a distinctly unique voice. They are filled with the hope and passion of a true believer, but not a brash one. Tynan’s poems are thoughtful, contemplative, the works of someone who will always stop and ponder an issue rather than resort to tired cliches.

One of these poems is really quite an amazing find. The Christmas Bird, never published until now, was located in a special collection of Katherine Tynan Hinkson papers by myself. Members of my family and I transcribed the barely legible hand-written manuscript especially for use in this song cycle (it took a few days, and we had to guess at a few of the words in the end, but we think we got most of it right). Like the other poems it is filled with unique symbols that I find very attractive and moving.

I hope this music and the message of Tynan’s poetry will add to your Christmas season, whether in your recital, concert or church service. Merry Christmas to you, whatever the day may be!

Star and Manger, by M Ryan Taylor

I’ve written this short, little snowman song based on an anonymous poem:

Once there was a snowman,
Who stood outside the door,
He wished that he could come inside,
And run about the floor.
He wished that he could warm himself,
Beside the fire, so red,
He wished that he could climb
Upon the big white bed.

So he called the North Wind,
"Come and help me, pray,
For I’m completely frozen,
Standing here all day."
So the North Wind came along,
And blew him in the door,
And now there is nothing
But a puddle on the floor!

The Snowman Song - Melody & Words:

• Taylor_The_Snowman_Song-Song_Sheet.pdf

The Snowman Song - With Simple Piano Accompaniment:

• Taylor_The_Snowman_Song-Simple_Piano.pdf

The Snowman Song - Concert Performance Edition:

• Taylor_The_Snowman_Song-Concert_Edition.pdf
• Example MP3 with Flute on the vocal line:
  Taylor_The_Snowman_Song-Concert_Edition-Example.mp3
• MP3 Piano Accompaniment:
  Taylor_The_Snowman_Song-Concert_Edition-Piano_Only.mp3
• MP3 Acompaniment arranged for Piano, Cello & Bells:
  Taylor_The_Snowman_Song-Concert_Edition-Trio_Accompaniment.mp3

Please be sure to let me know about any performances.  Have fun!