The Old Father Christmas Caroler's Companion

View all Christmas Music at ChoirWorks.com

Individual titles:

1. As With Gladness Men of Old (Hark! the Herald Angels Sing)
2. Away in a Manger
3. Deck the Hall : Good for Caroling Quartet
4. Joseph, thou son of David : Good for Caroling Quartet
5. Lee - Loo - Lye, A Christmas Lullaby
6. Mary’s Manger Song
7. Ode to a Fruitcake
8. On Bethlehem’s Silent Plain : Good for Men’s Caroling Quartet
9. Sir Christemasse
10. Star in the East
11. The Three Kings : Good for Caroling Quartet
12. The Wexford Carol
13. Then I was Glad
14. Tyrlow, Tyrloo, Tyrle
15. Wake, Awake for Night is Flying!
16. We Three Kings : Good for Caroling Quartet
17. Wonderful! is in the Stable

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

As With Gladness Men of Old
Words by Dix & Wesley
Music by Mendelssohn
Counterpoint by M Ryan Taylor

I’ve place the words to Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, which is more often used with this tune, under the words to As With Gladness Men of Old for your choice. It can be sung with either.

Download free sheet music:

• High Solo Voice and Piano
• High Solo Voice and Piano Trio (Piano, Violin, Cello)
• Medium Solo Voice and Piano
• Low Solo Voice and Piano
• 2 versions for Choir at ChoirWorks.com

As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed it’s light,
Leading onward beaming bright;
As with joyful steps they sped
To the lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heav’n and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy
Pure, and free from sin’s alloy,
All our finest talents bring,
Christ, to Thee, our Savior King,
And, when earthly things are passed,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.